Social Networking Sites and Their Applicability to Libraries

Social Networking Sites and Their Applicability to Libraries Evelyn Wassel, Ed. D. Librarians’ Meeting August 17, 2010

Facebook vs. myspace • • FB more mainstream More professionals Cleaner look Easier use

Google Images

Age Demographics http: //technomarketer. typepad. com/technom arketer/2009/03/the-age-of-facebook-vsmyspace-februarymarch-edition. html

Marketing Information • • For the first time, over half of the population of Facebook is over 25 (60% My. Space is still under 25) Overall Facebook is up 22% while My. Space is down. 5% Facebook has now surpassed My. Space in 31 -50 age ranges Facebook's 50+ group is the fastest growing followed closely by the 41 -45 group My. Space's largest losses are ages 35 and under Facebook growth under age 25 is still slow (this group is maxing out) From http: //technomarketer. typepad. com/technomarketer/2009/03/ the-age-of-facebook-vs-myspace-februarymarch-edition. html

Facebook Sites for Librarians • Bay Area Librarians • American Association of School Librarians • New York Librarians

Facebook Library Sites • Butler Public Library • Houston Public Library • Pine Grove Library and Technology Center

Recommendations David Bietila Elizabeth Edwards The George Washington University

Central Pages • We recommend creating an institutional, formallooking library fan page that students and librarians alike can join.

Profiles • Personal/Professional Balance • Subject Expertise • Include Picture

Friending • Students are much more likely to friend librarians if they interact with them in-person. Use research appointments and reference desk interactions as resources for building Facebook relationships.

Applications • Many students said they were inclined to use Facebook’s library applications.

Suggest Books • A book recommendation application on librarians' profiles appeals to many students – Occupies a middle ground between professional and personal spheres – Fits into students’ common expectations about librarians The “Books I Read” application

Advertise! • Many students are unaware that librarians are on Facebook – Most students who were aware of the program at Gelman had seen signs – Successful ads will play on tropes and distinctions meaningful to students

Avoiding Facebook Faux Pas • How to use… – – The wall Notes Messages Poking

Research • Talk to your patrons • Your own research will have the most applicability for you

Research Team David Bietila bietila@gelman. gwu. edu Elizabeth Edwards edwards@gelman. gwu. edu or find them on Facebook! http: //www. facebook. com/pages/Washington-DC/Gelman. Library/10557079749

GOING MOBILE

Mobile Options • Text messaging • i. Phone Apps

Text Messaging • Given that many library patrons interact almost constantly through their cell phones, receiving library notices through them will be more convenient and immediate than printed notices or even e-mail. • Examples – Holds – Overdues • Send through ILS notification services.

Developing i. Phone App • join the Apple i. Phone Developer Program ($99) * • get i. Phone or i. Pod Touch * • get an Intel-based Mac computer with Mac OS X 10. 5. 5, • prepare a Non-Disclosure Agreement (here’s a sample) * • download and install the latest version of the i. Phone SDK if you don’t already have it. • a spiral bound notebook* http: //www. smashingmagazine. com/2009/08/11/how-to-create-your-first-iphoneapplication/

E-BOOKS

e. Books • New and existing ebook publishers and device manufacturers will find ways for patrons to download and read a higher number of ebooks from popular collections such as ebrary and netlibrary on ebook readers. • This is still a challenge and it will be easier by the end of 2010.

Google Books • • • http: //books. google. com/ Search the full text of Books Search Book Search works just like web search. Find a book with content that contains a match for your search terms, it will link to it in your search results. Browse books online If the book is out of copyright, or the publisher has given us permission, you'll be able to see a preview of the book, and in some cases the entire text. If it's in the public domain, you're free to download a PDF copy. Learn more -- fast Reference pages for every book so you can quickly find all kinds of relevant information: book reviews, web references, maps and more. Buy the book. . . or borrow it from the library If you find a book you like, click on the "Buy this book" and "Borrow this book" links to see where you can buy or borrow it. Where do the books come from? Currently, we are connecting readers with books in two ways: the Partner Program and the Library Project.

Google Books Library Project • An enhanced card catalog of the world's books • Like a card catalog, show users information about the book, and in many cases, a few snippets – a few sentences to display the search term in context. • The Library Project's aim is simple: make it easier for people to find relevant books – specifically, books they wouldn't find any other way such as those that are out of print – while carefully respecting authors' and publishers' copyrights

Google Books • Librarian FAQs • http: //books. google. com/s upport/bin/topic. py? topic =9082

Increase Interaction with Patrons • Book reviews by patrons • Wikispaces – afternoon presentation

MORE IDEAS

Podcasting • Create “how-to” podcasts for research help, library resources, policies for lending, etc.

Blogs • Powered by RSS • Chronological entry • Text, images, audio, and video media • Use of comments • Readers = “push technology”

Blogs • By creating a blog, you'll be able to disseminate information to lots of people at one time. Whether you're updating students on new collections, or just conversing with library staff, blogs are a powerful tool, especially when combined with RSS. • RSS Feeds cost $77 for ad free links on your webpage. • http: //rsscontentbuilder. com/ purchase/

E. H. Butler Library Blog http: //askehbl. wordpress. com

Twitter • Use Twitter, a microblogging application, to keep staff and patrons updated on daily activities, like frequently updated collections, or even just scheduling. • http: //twitter. com/

Flickr • Share new image collections. • Flickr users can also help gather missing information about images. • http: //www. flickr. com/photos/theloudlibrarian/sets/ 1282646 • http: //www. flickr. com/photos/jocolibrary/56895279/ • http: //www. flickr. com/photos/michaelcasey/34936 010/in/photostream/

You. Tube • http: //youtubeandlibraries. pbworks. com/ • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=Yw. CUtpb. UWgk • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=i. MSk 5 z. FVH 4 s • http: //libguides. mit. edu/vid eo/ – Moved from You. Tube

You. Tube Copyright • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=CJn_j. C 4 FNDo • Professor Eric Faden of Bucknell University created this humorous, yet informative, review of copyright principles delivered through the words of the very folks we can thank for nearly endless copyright terms.

Offer Social Networking Classes • Many great sites out there for ideas • Great for parents and kids • A fabulous way to increase memberships in your own social networking sites