Social Networking in libraries

Social Networking tools are great for public relation activities for any organization but for libraries they can be a free life line to their patrons.  I learned at a Computers and Libraries workshop that there are a number of Social Networking tools out in the ether but not all Social Networking tools are best for a library to use.  Each library is different even if you are comparing two public libraries.  Each library can have a different patron basis and each patron base uses or does not use specific tools. 

I personal believe that Social Networking tools are wonderful for promotion, communication, and marketing of any library but making sure a library is using the right tool is primarily decided by what Social Networking tools your patrons are using.  At the library I work at, Scarborough Library, the only Social Networking tool we use is Facebook.   Now Facebook is not the only tool we tried.  We tried Twitter and a Blog like we are doing in this class and neither worked out.  This is due partly because our patrons don’t use blogs or twitter much and that we did not have the staff to properly keep them up to date.

With Social Networking tools it is not just that your patrons use them but do you, the library, have something to say worth saying and does the library have the staff to say it on a somewhat regular basis.  For Scarborough Library Facebook covers all the bases.  Our patrons, mostly 18 to 24 year olds, use Facebook on an hourly base, we have the staff you can use Facebook to promote our activities, and what the library needs to say fits well with Facebook.

About Me, Christy

I am currently working on my MSLIS and my CAS in Digital Libraries.  I have been working as the Library Learning Assistant at Scarborough Library at Shepherd University for 5 years this November 16th. My position as the Library Learning Assistant has changed over the course of 5 years.  Today my position includes developing and managing the library's website and a virtual historic tour of Shepherd's campus, creating and helping Librarians develop Libguides, answering reference questions, helping develop a digital collection and managing the University's archives.  I am an accidental librarian so I am looking forward to being a on purpose Librarian.

I have had a diverse background before becoming an accidental librarian.  I worked for 7 years as a Computer Technician before going back to get my undergraduate and then graduate degrees. My first graduate degree is in Historic Preservation.  I love preserving and researching history.  I really believe my time as Computer Technician and my degree in Historic Preservation lead me to my current position and my desire to be the type of librarian I am developing into, Digital and Preservation Librarian.


Also I am a caregiver for my Mom.  She has early stage Vascular Dementia.  She does really well but can not live alone so she lives with me now.  I have become a strong advocate for Relay for Life (I have known too many people who have cancer or died of cancer) and Alzheimer's Association (Alzheimer's is a form of Dementia).  In my spare time I love to cook, bake, go to the movies, go out to eat (it is great to have someone serve me every once in a while), and take photographs of old buildings.