Social Networking in the Libraries
Social networks have existed for as long as humans have been on earth. People have needed one another to survive, gain resources, share information, and learn. However, the social networks in web 2.0 and library 2.0 take a different route to achieve the same ends. Modern social networking in libraries utilizes computer software that allows people to form virtual communities and provides the opportunity to interact with one another. According to YALSA,
Social networking sites are those that provide this opportunity to interact. Sites that
allow visitors to send emails, post comments, build web content and/or take part in
live chats are all part of social networking sites
Social networking tools include more than just the commonly-cited websites, such as MySpace, LiveJournal, and FaceBook. They include blogs, podcasts, instant messaging services, RSS, wikis, and many other public forums where users create profiles and can interact with one another. The power of such resources for a library and its patrons can never be underestimated.
Libraries using social networking software have the capability to create MySpace sites to reach their patrons, particularly teens and other non-traditional library users. Libraries can use blogging software to update patrons about upcoming events, such as author visits, teen game nights, and youth story times. Librarians can create wikis to share research findings, such as genealogical trees, historical data, and other relevant resources. Patrons are able to collaborate with other users worldwide who share the same interests, values, and ideas, as well as being given the opportunity to engage those who don’t. Using these technologies allows patrons to actively engage other people and groups with whom they would likely not have contact with otherwise, which facilitates active learning and critical thinking skills.
While there are many positive outcomes of using and offering social networking technologies, there are also negatives. Legislation has been proposed and implemented to deal with the real and perceived threats of social networks. Two pieces of legislation in particular threaten access to information in libraries. These are CIPA (The Children’s Internet Protection Act) and DOPA (The Deleting Online Predators Act), both of which seek to protect children from online predators by targeting social software that allows children to post personal information and/or interact with adult predators on the internet. These pieces of legislation require strict internet filters on public school and library computers that minors have access to for research and social purposes, which can drastically limit the number of valuable educational tools
Please visit the following links to learn more and respond to the questions below:
1. http://www.technologyreview.com/InfoTech/17266
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/deleting_online_predators_act_of_2006
3. http://wikis.ala.org/iwa/index.php/Main_Page
Questions:
1. 1. What are some possible positive outcomes for libraries utilizing social networking software/sites and web 2.0 technologies?
2. What are some possible positive and/or negative outcomes of DOPA, CIPA, and other similar initiatives for patrons?
3. 3. What values or ethics could guide one’s support of social networking availability to patrons? What about those supporting the restriction of social networking?
Works Cited
Federal Communications Commission. (2006, January 12). Children's Internet Protection Act. Retrieved February 24, 2008, from http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html
Murphy, B. (2006, July 26). ALA disappointed by House passage of bill that will block key web applications. Retrieved February 23, 2008, from ALA News: http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=pressreleases&template=/contentmanagement/contentdisplay.cfm&ContentID=133666
YALSA. (2006). Teens & Social Networking in School & Public Libraries: A Toolkit for Librarians & Library Workers. Chicago: American Library Association.
19 comments:
Hello readers!
I had the formatting perfect in the "preview" posting, but once I clicked "post" it messed up and will not let me adjust it. I apologize in advance for any issues you might have reading the post. Feel free to email me and I can email you the original document. Meagan Brown (meaganebrown@aol.com)
Meagan, the original post looks fine within the comment section, if you click on "Show Original Post", but the format is off when you view the actual blog. I'm not quite sure why this is
Paul
You're right, the formatting is perfect when you click to view the original post.
Great job, Meagan!
Re: Social Networking and Genealogy:
Genealogy and Family History research are a passion of mine but I know that not everyone is so enthusiastic about this. As we age, however, we often become more interested in our family histories and want to find and connect with ‘relatives.’ I agree that social networking can be a great help in doing family history research (and just plain fun as well). It will be interesting to see where social networking in genealogy goes over the next few years. In the interim, for those who may be interested in how social networking can be used for family history and genealogy, here are a few selected resources.
The first is from an article I found on “About.com.” Several websites are mentioned in this article. I have not used any of these so cannot vouch for any of them (my disclaimer). However, I found the information about them interesting. (please copy and paste URLs)
1.
“Social Networking & Family Trees
From Kimberly Powell,
Your Guide to Genealogy.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Next Generation Genealogy Sites
Genealogy 2.0 sites use advanced social computing and networking technologies like wikis, RSS, mapping, and online family tree building to help people connect with family members and other researchers - sort of MySpace or Facebook for families. This list highlights many large, popular genealogy 2.0 sites, such as Geni.com and Amiglia, as well as other lesser-known sites from around the world.”
http://genealogy.about.com/od/social_networking/tp/portals.htm
2.
I am familiar with Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and think the author does good work.
October 24, 2007
re: GeneTree - a New DNA & Genealogy Social Networking Site
http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2007/10/genetree---a-ne.html
3.
Stephen’s Lighthouse (that’s Stephen Abram)
“December 19, 2007
Combining Libraries, Genealogy and Social Networking
OK, here's a way to bring folks into the library by combining two big trends.
Read this article in the NYT:
Zygotic Social Networking ”
http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/archives/2007/12/combining_libra.html
4.
re: Myfamily.com
“Myfamily.com Launches Free, Enhanced Beta Version of Family-Focused Social Networking Site
New 2.0 Site Offers Central Shared Space For The Entire Family
BELLEVUE, WA – OCT 23, 2007 – Myfamily.com, the leading social networking service for families, today announced a new release of myfamily.com 2.0 beta available at www.myfamily.com. The new release lets families connect online to share news, recipes, family history, photos and video in a safe, private and media-rich environment. Myfamily.com 2.0 beta offers several new features and services, including the ability to leave voice messages directly on the site or narrate photo slideshows using a phone…”
http://myfamily.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=113
5.
Article from International Herald Tribune
“Genealogy sites unite living relatives
By Bob Tedeschi
Published: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2006
NEW YORK: Genealogy sites have long helped customers reconnect with long-dead ancestors. Now, in keeping with the social networking trend, some of these sites are trying to connect living relatives as well.
Ancestry.com, a division of MyFamily.com in Provo, Utah, has spurred interaction between close and distant relatives by letting them more freely share information about their forebears and post old photos, and it is considering a family subscription service…”
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/09/business/ecom.php
6.
Ancestry.com
http://www.ancestry.com/
(a subscription service but available through some academic library databases as “Ancestry Library Edition” http://www.proquest.com/products_pq/descriptions/ale.shtml )
Question 3
I think this is an interesting question, because as is true with many debates, there are ethical considerations on both sides. From the role of the librarian, it is our responsibility to provide access to information. As we discussed earlier in class, there are different viewpoints on what limitations there should be to this access. It is my personal opinion that fewer limitations are better.
The other side of this is that social networking sites can be used with negative consequences, especially for children, and does the library have a responsibility to limit the access because of this possible outcome? I believe that this, as with book censorship, is the responsibility of the parents. I think that parents should be involved and discuss these issues with their children (such as what information is appropriate to post, who is appropriate to chat with, etc). The library can also be proactive in providing information about staying safe on the web. I think though if the library chooses to do so information for parents should also be included so the parents understand it is ultimately their responsibility to talk to their kids.
I never really thought much about the genealogy issue as a social networking issue. What sort of ethical dilemmas could arise when utilizing genealogy tools in a library setting?
Meagan Brown
Laura, I think you make a great point that it should be a parent's duty to determine what is appropriate for their children. However, many children are left alone in libraries and even at home. So, should a librarian (who knows a child that gets little adult guidance) ever take on the role of censor for the materials and websites the child utilizes? Why or why not?
Meagan Brown
1. Positive outcomes that result from libraries implementing Web 2.o programs include interaction between patrons and librarians as well as a gain in information. Individuals can communicate with others who may have the same concerns. Patrons can be informed of library happenings as well.
2. As brought up in our discussion board, the CIPA and DOPA have both benefits and drawbacks. It's a struggle to decide which outweighs the other: does the filtering pose too many limits to useful, credible resources; or is it more important that we block websites with content inappropriate to minors knowing that some useful content will be blocked? These are questions that I'm sure will be asked for years to come, or at least until software is created that will solve this problem.
By utilizing social networking sites, libraries would be reaching out to young adults in their own environment. They would be interacting at the same level and within a comfortable atmosphere which could lead to increased patronage from those who may not otherwise come to the library.
Libraries that utilize blogs, wikis and RSS feeds are also reaching out to citizens in order to keep them updated on events, new arrivals, technology and other interesting news. Libraries that use blogs to do book reviews may also see an increase in readership among the reviewed books or the reviewed authors. It seems that all Web 2.0 technologies could be used to promote a positive image of the library with young adults or disengaged individuals, and keep patrons updated about library happenings.
Jessica Kay-Oosterhouse
Libraries and Social Networking
In the 2007 OCLC’s report on “Sharing, Privacy, and Trust in the Networked World” (http://www.oclc.org/reports/pdfs/sharing.pdf ) some of the following statistics were found:
•People who use social networking sites read more than those who do not
•Library website use decreased 33% during the same time that users reading the web (2005) shifted to them authoring it (2007)
•13% of the general public and 14% of library directors do not think that libraries should participate in social networking and if they do, they should only host book clubs
In my opinion, I think that social networking for libraries can be very beneficial despite opposing views that see no use for such networks to exist within the library setting. Besides obviously improving social interaction, I think that both libraries and patrons can use these networks as another way to increase their knowledge base. Librarians can use blogging for example, in order to discuss and share information about library issues, such as professional development ideas or to provide input on current library and information science matters with other library colleagues. And patrons could have the opportunity to learn more about social networking through classes provided by librarians, for example; this would definitely help keep libraries aware of the most recent technology if they have to teach such skills to patrons.
One of the negative results of having social networks in libraries could cause computers to be used for non-research purpose, such as for entertainment (people going to the library to interact all day on their MySpace page, causing other patrons who want to do research to have to wait). I think that if libraries balance social networking use with ways that can enhance their online library services, by making it more socially interactive, then they may get patrons to use their libraries more and make the library seem more “inviting” and technologically up-to-date.
Some examples of libraries that are using social networks and their websites (as discussed in the OCLC report) are as follows:
Open Library: University of Kentucky—
Reaching users with MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/uklibraries
Teen Space: Denver Public Library—Helping teens overcome library anxiety
www.myspace.com/denver_evolver
SecondLibrary: Info Island
Blog: http://infoisland.org
2.0-It-Your-Self: Library 2.0 Ning Space (Helps librarians create social networks for their libraries)
http://library20.ning.com
1. By using Web 2.0 technologies, libraries make themselves more visible to the demographic that heavily uses these applications. As a business, you need to retain visibility in the information marketplace. Allowing people to have an open forum in a wiki or blog keeps people active in the library community. It is good to allow people feel that they are a part of a web community and being heard.
2. Interestingly, the CIPA bill was introduced to the Senate by none other than John McCain. I think the CIPA and DOPA are silly attempts to solve a symptom but not the problem. Blocking "objectionable" sites is a form of censorship. People should not leave impressionable young children alone to roam the internet without a chaperone of sorts. Activating v-chips in televisions and engaging filters on computers is just laziness on the parent's part. Both can be worked around and turned off. Passing laws on this sort of thing are just a gesture to appease some conservative groups. Just because the v-chip prevents your child from watching some show or movie doesn't mean they won't watch it at a friend's house. While the ALA has challenged CIPA for being unconstitutional, it was unfortunately upheld by the Supreme Court.
3. It depends on the type of social network as to my support. I have a Facebook, but I've always considered MySpace to be for teens. Livejournal is also a teen thing, but blogs are more adult. Why a library would be meddling in a teen network such as MySpace is beyond me. There's at least an iRead application in Facebook. I think people should be able to access whatever they like in a library. There's no reason to limit a child or teen's social networking.
During a recent library visit at a large public library, one of the reference librarians told me the the biggest problem they face with computer use in the library is patrons attempting to get around the time limits. Not viewing of pornography, or lack of parental guidance etc, but just using the computers past the time they are allotted and also attempting to use other's library cards to increase the time. When I visited the children's section, it was the same issue. Two teenage girls attempting to access their MySpace sites and stay on longer than allotted.
And, in a slightly different vein, Facebook now offers an app that performs PubMed searches through your Facebook account. So while on your social networking site, you might still be doing research. The info is here.
What are some possible positive and/or negative outcomes of DOPA, CIPA, and other similar initiatives for patrons?
Meagan as you stated in your posting...the negative aspects of the DOPA and the CIPA are that legitimate websites can be blocked at schools preventing students from doing their research for class assignments. Also the use of these monitoring devices takes away control from the library trustees or administrators that should have the final say so of how websites should be monitored in their community or state. Due to the increasing changes in technology the DOPA and CIPA could as well block future technologies that have yet to be developed. However, implementing these initiatives can prevent children from coming in contact with people that could do them harm.
In terms of the protection that CIPA and DOPA provide, it seems that the protection can be cumbersome. to other (older) patrons In many instances, the filters cannot be turned off, even when an adult patron logs on. In some libraries, librarians can turn off the filters to allow temporary access to blocked sites. Would it be within the CIPA and DOPA standards to have varying levels of "protection" based on patron age?
Nowadays learning to use what is beyond internet, specifically those social networking tools are very essential as educational components. The development of information literacy skills requires that young people be able to safely and effectively use these important new collaborative tools.
Some academic and public libraries have created MySpace pages in an attempt to promote and extend their library services such as reader's advisory. However, not all libraries, use social networking software to promote their services, some libraries like the American University of Beirut even have the websites for MySpace.com and Facebook.com banned in their libraries. This may be due to funding issues or it may be due to a library's management. So what about DOPA and CIPA? I think that children have the right to the full access of information. Blocking those websites at the libraries will not solve the problem; children can have access to objectionable material at any place outside the library, at their home their friends’ house. So I think that it is better to guide our kids how to guard their privacy and effectively use those website, otherwise they will misuse them.
I am totally against banning those social networks at the library. But what if we as librarians are working in a place where federal funding would be removed from our institution, if our computers aren’t filtered? Would you do something about it?
Meagan, you brought up an interesting comment earlier that I'm not sure I can answer, but have some thoughts on: "So, should a librarian (who knows a child that gets little adult guidance) ever take on the role of censor for the materials and websites the child utilizes? Why or why not?"
I think there are a few different sides to this question. From a parent's perspective first. Let's pretend a parent drops their child off at the library and picks them up a few hours later. When they pick their child up, the child tells them about obscene things they saw on the Internet. The parent immediately goes into the library and asks the librarian why they were not watching their child. What do you say to this parent? Are we supposed to be babysitting every child that comes into the library? Are we supposed to be human filters for the computers if there are no actual filters? Do parents know that we're not babysitters? Are we responsible as employees of what is seen on library computers?
From the perspective of a librarian. The same situation. The librarian sees a child looking at something obscene on a library computer. The librarian approaches the child and tells them to visit another more appropriate page. The child tells the parent about this situation. The parent is upset about the librarian stepping in on their child's Internet time. What do you say in this situation? Do you tell the adult they're being irresponsible by leaving their child unattended at the library? Do you tell the parent what the child was looking at?
Personally, I think there needs to be specific guidelines set up in libraries for what librarians can and cannot say to patrons and the sites they are viewing on the Internet. This can get tricky, but there needs to be some guidelines so that parents know what is expected from librarians when their children are online. I don't think I would say anything to a student on a computer. I am not the babysitter and therefore do not have any right to tell them what they are doing is innappropriate.
The best possible outcome for including social networking software in a library setting would be an extended and more communicative community. It would draw patrons together. One of the most exciting things about web 2.0 and social networking is the give and take of the people involved. It becomes a growing, living thing. Even if two libraries implemented the same software at the same time, because of the differences in the communities those libraries were located in and how the communities responded to the software, the virtual communities would grow in different directions and at different paces. It would, or at least it should, give the patrons a sense of ownership that they may not have felt for their library before.
Both of these acts make it even more difficult for young adults to get the information when they need it. The youth of today will find ways to access these social networks, whether at home, school, the library, or their neighbor's house. Blocking a new form of communication will not stop it from happening. Students often find ways around the filters, which I learned from a personal experience where a group of students were accessing MySpace, despite the firewall. Social networks may not be very appropriate for the school setting, but in a public library where access is crucial, DOPA may limit potential patrons and potential library resources. In many low income areas, the library is the only access teens have to the Internet. Excluding social networks, has the potential to exclude these teens who use library computers. If we get them in the door, then there is a good chance they will use other library resources, find a good book or magazine, or attend a special program or event. Those benefits seem more important, then the small chance that any harm will ensue as a result of using social networking tools. It seems like a disservice to young adults.
There are some negative impacts involved with the reliance on social network sites to relay your information. By using an offsite server to store information you are at their mercy. What if the company goes out of business leaving you without access to your information? Blogging sites are great for spreading information, but can this information be permanent. In an article by Sascha Segan he cautions against losing this control over your information. The information on blogging type sites is dynamically generated not permanent; “Facebook information is metadata, a stream of "pokes" and “virtual gifts.” He further argues that; “The practice of writing letters on paper has lasted several thousand years-we can read Sumerian shopping lists if we want to.”
There is a lack of inoperability “the walled-off nature of social-networking services disconnects us by scattering our lives into many tiny, non-interlocking compartments. But MySpace messages, Facebook mails, Evites, and all that other social--networking guff stubbornly refuse to leave the host Web sites, making "checking your messages" a tedious process of hitting a half dozen sites. Your messages become impossible to consolidate, file, or sort.” In the process of using these sites you have given control of your information to someone else, someone who really doesn’t care about your information.
Segan, Sascha. (2008, January). Facebook Kills Your Memories. PC
Magazine, 27, 70
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