Social networking is predicated on the 4Cs: collaboration, conversation, community, and content creation. With the improvement of computer hardware and software and communication technology connectedness in the first world is continual and omnipresent. Social networking tools cover the range of interactive and informational technologies. These technologies can be alerting such as RSS feeds and Twitter; informational such as blogs and wikis and educational with podcasts or video streaming and web-conferencing. There can be value adding with mashups and social interaction with Facebook, MySpace and Flickr. These tools allow interactive functionality including social bookmarking such as del.icio.us, folksomonies and tagging, personal media such as MP3 files, personalization using my profile features and allowing all forms of commentary.
Maness (2006, para 38) describes Library 2.0 as a user centered, user driven mashup of traditional library and innovative Web 2.0 services rich in content interactivity, and social activity.
During the course of this unit the various technologies were examined and an understanding of how Web 2.0 could be introduced to a Web 1.0 library was developed. Existing services can be extended by incorporating Web 2.0 technologies. Email notification of reservations can be extended to text messaging (Hull, 2011, A-Z, para 3) or a RSS feed (Hull, 2011, Reasons, para 7). Other ways of incorporating Web 2.0 don’t necessarily require funding just staff enthusiasm. This can include using programs like LibraryThing to create a specialist list of texts, creating a list of good reads and texting it to clients or creating a presence on Facebook. (Hull, 2011, A-Z, para 3-6)
All good librarians are user focused. Participatory library service extends this focus to enable clients to be part of the conversation. These libraries use Web 2.0 tools to connect with people, information and ideas. By using social networking tools such as blogging or Facebook comments are invited so the library is communicating more effectively. (Hull, 2011, Reasons, para 6) The National Library of Australia offers a participatory library service since it utilizes blogs, Facebook, Twitter and RSS feeds. (Hull, 2011, Reasons, para 4-5)
In a networked world there are a range of issues that need to be addressed. Policy is intended to control activity and guide action. Information policy is about the regulation of people, organizations and processes involved in information flow in society. Some areas of interest are the creative commons, intellectual property, online safety, acceptable use of the internet, information access for all, trans-literacy and regulating the internet. Age appropriate access is already addressed in most libraries regarding computer use and all libraries have policies regarding confidentiality and privacy. Social media tools such as Facebook and MySpace blur the boundaries and encourage sharing of personal information. Twitter has and immediacy that discards discretion.
A social media policy is a must in a Web 2.0 library.
This needs to cover
· the range of legal requirements such as business and enabling acts, records management requirements, discrimination, etc.;
· copyright and permissions and all the requirements for lawful publishing;
· confidentiality and privacy issues such as keeping corporate secrets and preserving proprietary information and respecting colleagues’ privacy;
· correct online behaviour and etiquette with care about statements made, not causing or taking offense; and
· taking responsibility for authorship, opinions and errors. (Hull, 2011, Social Media Policy, para 3)
During this unit social networking technologies were interactively used to gain an understanding of their use and place in the Web 2.0 world. This included bookmarking, virtual worlds, blogging, tweeting and using Facebook. An understanding was developed of the social networking issues that require attention in the Web 20 environment. Promoting Web 2.0 into the work environment and examining social issues also increased my understanding of social networking technologies. These technologies will eventually be incorporated into most libraries in Australia.
Reference
Hull, R. (2011, January 22). A to Z. Message posted to http://robyn-robynhull.blogspot.com/.
Hull, R. (2011, January 30), Reasons why libraries should be on social media. Message posted to http://robyn-robynhull.blogspot.com/.
Hull, R. (2011, February 3). Social media policy. Message posted to http://robyn-robynhull.blogspot.com/.
Maness, J.M. (2006). 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and its implications for libraries. Webology, 3(2) June, 2006. retrieved from http://www.webology.org/2006/v3n2/a25.html.
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