Social networking has been around for a few years, now. Please put the stigma aside and at least research it, or try it before you make your final decision to skip this technology trend. Like it or not, social networking is much more than a fad. MySpace broke the ground for innovative platforms to follow and learn from mistakes and litigation. While Facebook is certainly not the end all, it is my belief, as well as others that there will be similar software to take over when Facebook has reached its exhaustion.
Why is Facebook so appealing? Facebook allows the profile creator to limit the amount of personal information viewers can obtain, and once another person is confirmed as a "friend," the creator can still maintain certain limits through his or her respective settings feature. This ensures a much higher level of security to avoid "spamming" and perhaps even pranks from a naive friend trying to post an unbecoming photograph or video on the creator's page.
As an academic librarian, I see this platform useful to perform outreach to those Internet users beyond email. This is a more personal way to communicate electronically than email and not as intimidating as face-to-face reference interviews for our Net Gen.
There are several of us active librarians moderating our accounts and we have created pages for our libraries, with administrative permission. We have seen success in reaching patrons in regard to library hours, materials, and exhibits as well as promoting other campus events. All of this possible while breaking the ice to gain the confidence of our fluid community members.
Rather than rejecting something new, view it as an opportunity or a vehicle to take advantage of "teachable moments".
Sincerely,
Sharon
