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

October 13 - 19, 2008

Learning Objectives

• Lecture
• Readings
• Examples
• Things to Do
  

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of the week, you should:

1. Know how Facebook and MySpace work.
2. Understand why libraries would want to build presence in social networking software.
3. Understand how libraries can build other types of online communities for their parons.
4. Be able to develop a profile in Facebook and add applications to your profile.
5. Identify best practices for building a library presence in Facebook and MySpace
6. Identify best practices for developing online communities.

 

Lecture

Quicktime Movie (30 minutes)

Slides (PDF)

Transcript (PDF)

 

Readings

Required
Farkas, Chapters 6-7 (skip the material about Flickr pp. 92-95)
Mack, D., et al. (2007, Summer). “Reaching Students with Facebook: Data and Best Practices.” Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship, 8.
Stutzman, F. (2006). “How University Administrators Should Approach the Facebook: Ten Rules.” Unit Structures.
Mitrano, T. (2006). “Thoughts on Facebook.” Cornell University IT Policy Office.
Farkas, M. (2006). “Libraries in Social Networking Software.” Information Wants to be Free.
Evans, B. (2006, October 15). “Your Space or MySpace?” Library Journal.
Porter, J. (2007). “Common Pitfalls of Building Social Web Applications and How to Avoid Them.” Bokardo.  (be sure to read parts 2 and 3 as well).

Shinners, M. (2007). "Readergirlz: An Online Book Community Celebrating Gutsy Girls in Life and Lit." WebJunction.

Optional
Kroski, E. (2007). “Top Ten Facebook Apps for Librarians.” iLibrarian.  (be sure to read parts 2 and 3 as well)

 

Examples

MySpace Profiles
University of Texas Libraries
Birmingham Public Libraries
Hennepin County Public Library
Ann Arbor District Library
Denver Public Library
Brooklyn College Library
University of Miami Libraries

Facebook Pages
Wellesley College Library
Harvard Law School Library
Hennepin County Public Library
Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenberg County
UNC Davis Library

Online Communities Developed by Libraries
Bookspace
My Own Cafe

 

Things to Do

1. Play with all of the examples listed above.

2. Complete Exercise 6, due October 18.

3. Write at least one blog post on one (or more) of the following topics (due October 18):

1. Do you think libraries should be providing services in MySpace and/or Facebook? Why or why not?
2. Discuss what libraries could be doing in your setting (or a setting you'd like to work in) to build community online.
3. What features would make our library systems (catalog, databases, etc.) better allow people to connect around collections.
4. Write your own reflections on what you learned this week.

4. Write a blog post that includes a brief description of an article, technology, blog post, or other interesting resource outside of the classwork you've found that's related to that week's topic. Be sure to include a link to the resource (due October 18).

5. Comment on at least two other people's blog posts (due October 20).