Week 3 - Social Networking Tools

Social networking could be used by the MLA to connect with members, but that is if most if not all of its members are on facebook. Using this assignment as an example, only those who were enrolled in this CE course benefited from the MLA annual meeting event page on facebook. Social networking faces the same dilemma that virtual chat reference faced and still probably faces (in some libraries) and that is the perception that it is not a productive method of getting work done. One way to overcome this perception is through the offering of CE courses such as this one. Getting people introduced to social networking tools is a great beginning. They more they know the more likely they are to using these tools to enhance what they already do well.


After going through the exercise I don’t see how having a facebook or MySpace page would benefit the medical library where I work. This has to do primarily with our patron base. I don’t think physicians and residents would find it worthwhile since every minute of their day is spent on patient care.

There are definitely privacy concerns when using social networking sites. I know you ultimately control what makes its way on to these sites, but how much of one’s information is recycled for other purposes that we may or may not know about?


What I liked most about facebook and MySpace was being able to located long lost friends and classmates. It is also a great way for me to keep in touch with family and friends.