Part 2: Reflective Statement

This reflective statement evaluates my development as a social networker as a result of studying subject INF206, and considers the impact this development will have on my role as an information professional in a public library.

The first online learning journal (OLJ) entry ‘OLJ creation and first entry’ (McPherson, 2010), describes my previous level of understanding on social networking practices, theories and concepts. After immersing myself in social networking technologies including Facebook, Second Life, Delicious, YouTube, Blogger, RSS, Twitter, Nings, Wikis, LinkedIn and many more, I have since reflected upon and extended my definition of social networking to include multi user virtual environments (MUVE) and an acknowledgement of the advantages for organisations and education, not just individuals and groups.

The first evidence of my progression as a social networker came as I unknowingly extended what I was learning into my work environment. The OLJ entry ‘The Facebook experiment’ (McPherson, 2010), outlines how the social networker within applied skills and knowledge for the benefit and development of the organisation.

I regret not spending more time in second life (SL) and attending more SL events and learning sessions, as I greatly benefited from the collaborative learning experience, however time eluded me. Whilst I feel I have developed sufficient skills and knowledge to evaluate functions and features in what I have already experience, I feel SL has much more to offer. According to Boellstorff (2008 p.124) ‘Newbies’ in SL often lack the skills to take full advantage of the possibilities of their avatar and its embodiment and exploring subcultures and communities. In response I plan to spend more time in SL to overcome and master the initial problems I experienced with the interface.

Keeping an online learning journal using Blogger was a new experience that assisted me in identifying my learning progress and served as a reference tool. I have used Blogger prior to this session, but the subject of the blogs didn’t inspire me to add content. My online learning journal offered an opportunity to contribute and express my own ideas and theories. I intend to continue using my blog to document my professional, educational and social networking development and experiences in the future.

As an information professional I intend to use my knowledge of Library 2.0 as a model for constant and purposeful change to move library services forward. By further combing existing online information services with social networking technologies and environments, we can extend our reach to users, providing services in a place where they already exist. Library 2.o has facilitated my achievement in understanding my role of empowering our users through participatory, user driven services and will continue to challenge my thinking.

In response to ‘The Facebook experiment’ Tamworth Library is now investigating the implementation of a Facebook fan page for the library, with a meeting scheduled, through Eventbrite, for Tuesday 1st January, 2011. My development as a social networking information professional throughout this subject has prepared me for this meeting, arming me with knowledge on the key issues and likely concerns of management including privacy verses value, copyright and online behavior. Lauby (2009) acknowledges that social media is quickly moving from an emerging form of communication to the mainstream, a point I intend to discuss and use to support my thoughts on the importance and benefits of developing a social media/networking information policy for both staff and patrons.

As a children’s and youth services librarian, I intend to use my developed ability to critically examine features and functionality, to evaluate and explore social networking technologies for youth services online. I plan to evaluate and explore Teen Second Life (13 - 17 year olds) in a professional capacity and hope to discover potential for a virtual library environment that will offer e-learning, identity exploration and virtual socialisation, where homework help and information services for young people might be offered.

My first-hand experiences as a member of social networking communities have been significant to my development as a social networker and information professional. I look forward to furthering my experiences as a social networker through immersion in existing and future web 2.0 technologies, and in becoming a social networking producer, through the development and maintenance of a library Facebook fan page, whilst applying other social networking technologies the Tamworth Library.

Furthermore I look forward to fulfilling my role in raising the awareness of social networking technologies and applications amongst my colleagues at the Tamworth Library and promoting virtual resources and gathering place to the local community.


References:
Boellstorff, T. (2008). Coming of age in Second Life: An anthropologist explores the virtually human, New Jersey: Princeton University

Eventbrite. (2011), CNRL Social Networking Meeting. Retrieved 30 January, 2011 from http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1256585481?utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=event_reminder&utm_term=event_title

Lauby, S. (2009). Should your company have a social media policy? Mashable. Retrieved 26 January, 2011, from http://mashable.com/2009/04/27/social-media-policy/

McPherson, K. (2010). OLJ creation and first entry. INF206 Online learning journal. Retrieved 22 November, 2010, from http://inf206olj.blogspot.com/

McPherson, K. (2010). The Facebook experiment. INF206 Online learning journal. Retrieved 26 January, 2011, from http://inf206olj.blogspot.com/

A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries

Learning experience three (3):

Tamworth City Library (TCL) is currently considering integrating social networking technologies into its library services. The following five (5) criteria from the the A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries offers advice for moving towards a library 2.0 ethos.

A-active: in order for your library patrons to view you as being serious about your social networking and for it to work for you and your library, you need to use it on a regular basis.

To ensure progressiveness TCL must consider the need for social networking services to be continually monitored in order to stay relevant and the time required of staff. Parkes and Walton (2010, p. 87) agree social networking practices in libraries need to keep active to prevent them from becoming a static resource.


F-Facebook: having a presence on Facebook with a fan page or a group is a must. Facebook is so popular now that it is expected.

TCL has not yet adopted a Facebook fan page, however library staff are using their own profiles to connect with the local community and are spreading the word about services and programs through existing community fan pages such as local radio stations. More than 20 million people connect with pages every day (Facebook, 2010), creating a library fan page will create a virtual online gathering place for the local community. Development of a information policy is essential.


T-Text messaging: Is your library using it yet?

TCL currently uses the SPYDUS library management system, which offers an optional text messaging feature. If TCL were to adopt this feature it will potentially simplify the delivery of reservation and overdue notices, provide an efficient way to advertise upcoming events and services and deliver direct notification on new resources of interest.


V-Video: whether on YouTube or elsewhere, use video to enhance and engage with your users via social networking.

Embracing video through the TCL library website could offer tutorials on using the library catalogue, databases or reserving items, provide a tour of the library for someone who is hesitant about visiting, or even capture author talks and story times for those who can’t make them in person. Video could also be posted on library social networking pages.

Z-zeal: is your library staff exciting about the possibilities that social networking can offer your library? If not, you will struggle to make it work for you.

Ensuring all library staff are on board with the social networking movement is possibly the biggest challenge TCL faces. The fear of technology may be overwhelming for some, highlighting the importance of Web 2.0 training, development updates, participation in planning and development and positive feedback.

Reference:


Brown, A., L. (2010). ‘A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries’. Retrieved 10 December, 2010, from http://socialnetworkinglibrarian.com/2010/01/22/a-to-z-of-social-networking-for-libraries/

Facebook. (2010). Facebook fan page manual. Retrieved 10 December, 2010 from http://www.box.net/shared/9e5jiyl843

Parkes, D. & Walton, G. (2010). Web 2.0 and Libraries: Impacts, technologies and trends. Cambridge: Woodhead