A Place for Libraries on Facebook?
Facebook is a social networking site that allows individuals associated with "a supported organization, company, college or high school" to create profiles to interact with other Facebook members. Because of the institutional framework, the site has become popular with college students. The University at Albany (noted on the site as SUNY Albany) is affiliated.
When I log onto Facebook with my profile, I am identified as a member of the SUNY Albany network. Currently there are 115 groups associated with this campus. Examples: College Democrats, UAlbany Student Association, Pataki 2008, AIDS Awareness, and Frederick Douglass Scholars. There are more than 500 SUNY Albany profiles on Facebook, including those of undergrads, grads and alums.
This would seem like a natural place for a library presence. In fact, some libraries have set up institutional profiles on Facebook. Brian Mathews of Georga Tech suggests that librarians move beyond a "reference-centric" approach on sites such as Facebook and create groups that target niche markets. His recent blog posting offers the example of creating a support group for a piece of software called MATLAB, a proficiency requirement for many George Tech students. "We provide a unified place for students to express frustrations as well as seek assistance. We can then also market the fact that we have Teaching Assistants available in the Library M-TR from 6pm – 8pm who can help with problems, as well as provide info for other tutoring, mentoring, and assistance around campus too. We can also provide links to tutorials, videos, handouts, books, guides, samples and other supportive materials."
Using groups to tap into a university's niche markets is an interesting idea. And in fact, it may be the only idea that is viable on Facebook based on recent developments. Last week, the University of Kentucky Libraries had their profile shut down because it represented an organization rather than an individual. This is seen as a violation of Facebook policy. The SLA blog has a detailed posting about the incident.
Based on current events--and if we were interested in pursuing a presence on Facebook--one or more of us could initiate an individual presence and create groups from there. I can think of a particular Psychology class that might attract users to a group. Can you think of others?
Comments
I've been on Facebook for a couple of years here at SUNY Albany and have felt that the functionality didn't lend itself to library communications and services. But this year the functionality has changed and I began a group that I call "Awesome Resources". I have about 40 or so Friends on Facebook, and every time I post something to Awesome Resources all my Friends see that I've done so when they log on. I've been going through the University Libraries web pages and picking resources to describe and make an entry each day if I can remember to do so. But I at least try to post one a week. I also mention email reference. I've noticed that a library organization is a member of my group. So far I'be been experimenting with the Notes function as well, but again I'm slowly developing ideas on how to use it to promote library information or services.
Posted by: Lorre | October 12, 2006 04:44 PM