Task 8: Myspace, Facebook and Social Networks

Myspace and Facebook are the 2 biggest social networking sites today. Social networking sites allow members to see who is connected to whom. This makes communicating with your friends, and your friend's friends easy, hence the 'network' in social networking.

This video, Social Networking in Plain English, attempts to explain what social networking sites have to offer. Have a look at it.



There is quite a lot of debate in library circles about the relative merits of these social networks. Should libraries have a presence in myspace? If so, what should that presence offer?

In this task you will explore what social networking sites offer their members and what potential they have for libraries. We will focus on myspace as member profiles are publicly available, whereas on Facebook you have to join before you can see anyone's profile.

First...
Take a look at a few myspace profiles of different libraries such as Hennepin County Library, Denver Public Library's teen space - eVolver and Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. What do you think of these sites? Who is the target audience?

Then...
Read some views about libraries using social networking sites. Start with a couple of selected blog posts (make sure you read the one from Meredith Farkas) and perhaps seek out some more for yourself.

Finally...
Post your views on libraries and social networks in your blog. Do you think our library should have a Myspace or Facebook profile? What should it include? Who should we aim to friend? What's the best thing you've seen a library do on myspace

Extension...
Join Myspace and set up a profile for yourself. Play around and see what's involved. Visit the SSC Learning 2.0 profile and invite us to be your friend.