Adventure Social Networking

I have to admit that Facebook and MySpace scare me a bit. Revealing even a little about myself makes me feel very exposed with these tools. I have a Facebook account, and belong to a nationwide volunteer organisation of women who, among other wonderful and worthwhile activities, love to chat. Adding a mere one friend from this group is like lighting an incendiary device. The viral speed of friend to friend connection is breathtaking. Not sure I'm comfortable with it yet. The familiarity is a little alarming. Still, it is kind of nice to see who is out there...

Explore Social Networking

In looking through the examples, I thought MySpace and Facebook had the most fuctionality. Great for adding links, sharing/advertising photos, videos, things about yourself such as the books you read or the movies you like. Ning was pretty good too, especially for a specific event or interest group. This is how I think libraries could use social networking most effectively - to support community groups and their interests, or to generate communication surrounding a particular event or exhibition or collection. Libraries could establish a MySpace or Facebook account, then seek and market to interest groups which pertain to some of their collections or upcoming events/exhibitions, either asking to link in some way to these groups, or try to attract these groups to their account/group. I just don't think Facebook or MySpace would be my first port of call if I had a reference query, but if I and a whole bunch of my Facebook or MySpace friends were interested in local history or dancing or creative writing or old cars, then I would certainly appreciate being connected to relevant upcoming library events or useful collections. Being able to talk online with others about it could be attractive too.

Twitter didn't impress me at all. In the example given, for the National Library of NZ, I didn't read anything that wasn't just conversational white noise. As a busy mother, I can't imagine having enough free time to just chatter away without any obvious purpose.

I decided to search 'libraries australia' in Facebook to see what popped up and found a group site called 'I DO NOT Support Australia Implementing MANDATORY Internet Censorship!!!'. This was an interesting usage from a library perspective. Checked MySpace too, and it didn't seem to have as much library group activity. It seems to have a younger, more social feel to it altogether. Less about discussion, more about showing your saucy photos from the weekend! MySpace does have some great artist/musician sites though.


I'm not convinced by the UQ use of Facebook. It didn't look really active. Would people really turn to Facebook for reference enquiries? I think not. I'd rather go to a library website, which would include loads of other features and information of interest. To me, social networking is about connection and communication, not research or reference or 'finding the answer'. I found the Libraries Australia Facebook site, but for me I'd prefer the standard website.

Conferences can be very ably supported by a social networking site, both in the planning and in review, for suggesting ideas and sharing memories.