(b) a reflective statement on your development as a social networker as a result of studying INF506, and the implications for your development as an information professional (@750 words).
Throughout the course of this subject, the readings and tasks have led from a basic knowledge of some social networking technologies and their uses to a fuller range of knowledge and an understanding of their wider implications. When this semester began, my knowledge was limited to social networking sites such as Facebook which had been used in a limited way, wikis with which I was more familiar, photo sharing sites such as Flickr, an understanding of avatars and similar concepts within virtual worlds and an acquaintance with such technology as Twitter and Delicious social bookmarking. By completing the requisite readings and online journal tasks, this basic knowledge was developed and honed into a better understanding of what was available and how it could be better utilised within an academic library environment.
As with all new and emergent technologies, the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 technologies are user interactive and user driven (Brown, 2009). Library policy has to change or staff need a motivated, energetic team to drive the project as well. To ensure success of the project, staff will be required to monitor, update and fix it when it crashes while continuing to investigate better ways of doing it. Users are more able to interact directly with the library and the library staff through instant messaging and blogs and eventually through virtual worlds and social networking sites such as Facebook. Despite this, there are many obstacles to overcome including issues of privacy, training, promotion and choosing which social media technologies to utilise to maximise user interface without spreading the library/staff resources too thinly(Nosko et al, 2010).
As these changes take place, it is essential that staff are up to date and familiar with the emerging technologies. Prior to this semester, the limitations of my skills and knowledge were much larger. Now I have a better awareness of the skills that I need to develop to both remain up to date and to excel as the library needs change and users make more use of Web 2.0 social networking technologies. From the grounding that I have obtained with a range of social networking sites, it is essential that the potential use of these sites not be overlooked in my work environment. I will be able to contribute to the policies that are to be put in place, ensuring that all options are fully researched and the best options for the library are utilised and strategies developed for the best advantages of both staff and users. Establishing this project will require work such as applying for funding to commence the project, the formation of a team and strides taken to make sure it is successful.
Establishing the best social networking technologies to implement, ensuring training for all staff, promotion of their use within the user community and what identification of a target audience is essential. Issues of privacy and access, budgeting and then establishing which services to offer through the social networking technologies also must be considered from the beginning. Privacy issues relate not only to the information that is added or can be accessed by users but also what information can be accessed by supervisors or colleagues (Brown, 2009). Options to ensure privacy such as passwords and authentication may restrict the social networking as an open and sharing space. By making users identifiable they may choose to opt out of the technologies completely.
Social networking sites such as Twitter, for example, allows for quick, short updates which appeals to a user group that has a short attention span and an aversion to reading; Flickr allows for the sharing of photos; and Delicious caters to those who use bookmarking to find and store information sites and sources. The mobility that is now inherent in these technologies allows for use for a wider range of users at greater distances (Carscaddon & Harris, 2009; Dempsey, 2009, p. 5, 8). These different social networking sites allow for increased public use and can be customised to suit each user.
Library 2.0 needs to cater to the social networking trend by maintaining a service that has been restructured to communicate across time and space constraints in a mobile ready environment to support the informational and collaborative needs of communities and organisations worldwide. As such, social networking technologies respond to users wants and needs, reflect users’ preferences and expectations and as such they go where the users are providing a constantly evolving service that will require staff involvement and continual training.
As social networking technologies continue to develop and society evolves to become more mobile, the role of the library and the librarian will be to cater more easily to these needs quickly to provide information when it is wanted 24/7 and worldwide. Training is essential at all levels. I feel that continued development of my own skills will be essential.
Within the workplace, focus groups should be convened to research and implement social networking technologies not currently in use such as Facebook or virtual worlds. It is necessary to properly discuss and investigate the needs of the users to ensure that the correct technologies are utilised. It is much better to implement one or two well used technologies than try to create a presence in a large number of technologies that are not used by the University population. For example, The University of Newcastle Libraries Information Desk staff implemented the use of Google chat to remain informed and up to date with each other. When this technology was rolled out to include users, it failed to be successful.
Social networking is one way for libraries to respond to the needs of users. Much research and work will be needed by a team of committed staff to ensure that the process is not haphazard and half hearted to ensure that the best possible use for the relevant technologies is found.
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