LIBR 246-12: Web 2.0 and Social Networking Tools (Fall 2008)

Libraries need policies than govern the use of social software.  Blogs, wikis, and RSS feeds can all be abused and used inappropriatly.  I work in corporate settings and you would be amazed what grown adults do when they think noone is watching.  Even with clear rules people choose to abuse the resources they have been given.  For example, if there are no guidlines for what people can build during work hours ro what type of language or tones to use, what type of recourse woulda library have if a staff member used foul language on a post.  Rules provide boundires and everyone should know the rules of the community.  Rules also keep you safe from the public in that if you have a policy and someone goes outside that, you can clearly explain the  library does not do that kind of thing and cite the policy.  Same thing for collection management I suspect.