MySpace, Facebook and the whole social networking thing!

I haven’t had a whole lot to do with MySpace so it was interesting having a look at what the various libraries (all American?) seem to be doing with it. All pages seem to be very specifically geared to their main user group - teen readers.  All seem to have links to library information, catalogue searches, noticeboards and discussion groups.  The discussion groups are used by kids to recommend books, ask for reading suggestions and so on.  Many of the groups I looked at had authors also as contributors, often mentioning latest publications and generally self promoting, which may or may not be a good thing.  They generally had “ask the librarian” links for homework help and many links to information and entertainment sources.  I did notice that many of the MySpace pages weren’t that up to date with notices of events and activities way past the scheduled time - sometimes months past.  Any library using MySpace would need to make a commitment to keep current or else risk losing interest of “friends”

I’ve been involved as a Facebook user for a while and have had a great time catching up with long lost relatives and friends.  All of a sudden I am seeing wedding pictures for second cousins and playing Scrabulous with people in Adelaide, Bendigo and the Gold Coast.  All of a sudden the world has become a little smaller.  I know libraries are increasingly using Facebook as a way of connecting with members (Fans) - however a few comments to discussion lists on the British Library page seem to indicate that there is an inproportionate number of librarians as fans - preaching to the converted?  My main concern with Facebook so far is simply what a time waster it can be!!!

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