I had my reservations when I began reading Reaching Students with Facebook: Data and Best Practices – my first thought was, ‘Oh no, not another lame page to follow on FB.’ I was a fan of the TPL on Facebook (when I was still on FB) and as much as I heart the library system they weren’t winning me over with their sad page with minimal updates and activity*. But it soon became apparent that the authors were promoting a more personalized approach on Facebook as opposed to the ‘corporate’ approach. Again, reservations – probably because I’m thinking of the librarian in the public library system. Should he/she seriously consider inviting patrons to view his/her profile and then add them? The readings that we’ve looked at are aimed at academic librarians who are dealing with a different target user group and it definitely makes sense for them to have a FB presence. I’m not suggesting that public librarians shouldn’t be on FB, they might just have to participate in a different manner, ie. by monitoring and updating the (fan) page. Basically, we’re back to the point about what works for one library (or target group) doesn’t necessarily work for another, or works differently for another library/target group.
Role-playing time:
I’m an academic librarian and I’ve already got my personal profile on FB. Like most people I’ve put up pictures taken while traveling; pictures of my family,friends, and pets; and pictures taken during social (and sometimes slightly debaucherous) events. I’ve been reading articles that suggest I reach out to students using FB and I think it’s a great idea. Except now I’m a little self-conscious of what’s up on my profile. Do I try and be “authentic” and not change a thing? Or do I dive in and do some editing before adding students? Or do I set up a new account (using my work email address) and create a more polished profile presenting the good, clean, wholesome librarian (with friends who promise to only write smart and witty things on my wall)? Hmmm…
Connecting co-op and coursework (sort of):
Yes, at first I wasn’t for the idea of librarians being all librarian-y on Facebook (or the SNC of your choice). But I started to wonder if my co-op experience would be any different if I was on FB, or maybe an internal SNC, and able to network/communicate with** other people at my organization. And I think it would make a difference. I’ve only been at this library for two months and I know most of the regulars by sight – I only know a handful of names. And there are some clients (that’s what we’re supposed to call them) who come in everyday but probably have no idea who I am because they never make any eye contact. Will Facebook solve my problems and allow me to buddy-buddy up to everyone? Not likely. But it may help create a sense of familiarity and get my name and face out there. So maybe if Scientist B sees my response to a quick reference question on Scientist A’s wall, he/she might message me to ask for some help, or maybe even come by the library to SEE me! (And it would probably make me feel less removed from the organization.)
And I’m always amazed by how many students at my school are completely incapable of finding the library Web site. No, it’s not on the front page of the University’s Web site, but it’s not that difficult to find! However, I bet they’d have a heck of a lot more luck finding our library’s profile in MySpace or Facebook (if we had one).
- Farkas
I hear that! There have been server changes and website issues at work and as a result the library’s “site” is no longer external and is only available via our Intranet. Are people able to find our catalogue? Of course not. Many think they have to come into the library to access the catalogue and our e-resources when it’s actually accessible via their desktops. (I’d say slap a button on the Intranet homepage linking to the catalogue but then I met someone who hadn’t accessed the Intranet even once.) Clearly, we’re in need of portals.
*This may have changed – and I hope it has.
**ie. Facebook stalk
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Links:
LiveJournal – Toronto Student Community – An online community at it’s best (and worst); it’s super active and often incredibly helpful despite the trolls.
MySpace – London Public Library – Though there don’t seem to be any/many comments I like the fact that the blogs and content are updated regularly. And apparently after being mentioned on the library’s MySpace, the band Harry and the Potters offered to do a free show at LPL. So even if your patrons aren’t checking you out, someone else might be…
Lamebook – Where FaceBook fails are rightfully mocked
7 responses so far ↓
Sandra Herber // Mar 4th 2010 at 6:44 AM
Your questions about what an academic librarian should do if they already have a FB page were spot on. As I’ll write in my post today, I was won over by some of the articles and started thinking those very thoughts. If I get a job as an academic librarian, should I change my current page (really, there’s nothing too scary on there) or create a whole new one? Have you come up with an answer yet?
Mellissa // Mar 4th 2010 at 5:37 PM
Although I do not intend to be an academic librarian if I were to imagine myself as one I think that a FB page would be a great way to get in touch with students. Although I would definitely create a separate “professional page”. I would need that degree of separation. I don’t want my patrons to know EVERYTHING about me . . . not that my FB page has everything about me on it. Although what’s stopping them from searching out my personal page after finding my professional one?
I think facebook pages are useful in the academic setting, however, I am still uncomfortable with so much sharing between me and my patrons. I think I would have difficulty balancing professional and personal at the risk of not being very authentic.
Arvind Singh // Mar 4th 2010 at 11:23 PM
I’ve also wondered about libraries going on Facebook, especially when as a social networking site it was originally intended as personable site i.e. networking between and among “friends.”
Nevertheless, libraries need to reach their users where they can interact with the library. As 30% of global traffic goes to Facebook and it is the second most visited site after Google, it makes sense to have a presence on it.
The IKEA video showed how you can engage visitors while still highlighting what you offer. I believe libraries can likewise be creative. Do you think this is easy for libraries?
monica // Mar 5th 2010 at 12:13 PM
You make a great point about the academic librarian and their Facebook page. Should they take the more approachable route by sharing their personal, fun self, or keep the professional “wall” up?. . . In the end, I agree with Mellissa. I think it is important to have a professional account set up for you and your users/clients to interact. Although some of your users might be interested in the “behind the scenes: life of a librarian”, I’m sure the novelty will wear off when a user walks into your library asking how your date went last night. I think it will serve a greater purpose for the user and the librarian if they remain in the professional realm on Facebook.
Megan // Mar 14th 2010 at 4:05 PM
Thanks for your thoughts and I am enjoying the byplay over personal account use vs a separate professional account, but I am not feeling completely ready to weigh in yet. I think for me it would be partially dependent on the sort of library setting I am working in when the decision comes to the fore. Each library local I have work in has a very different corporate culture and some would definitely wish me to utilize a separate corporate account and others would likely wish me to stick with my personal account as anything really questionable lives in my email not on my wall!
dayna // Mar 18th 2010 at 8:20 PM
I agree with Mellissa too – it’s probably better to keep things professional. That being said, I tend to think of the academic library presence on Facebook being more institutional than individual. I don’t think that I, as an academic librarian, would feel pressure to add students to my personal Facebook account, especially when there is a general-library page.
Amena // Mar 25th 2010 at 9:15 PM
Privacy settings on FB are fairly customizable so it wouldn’t be impossible to just turn your personal account into a professional one as well. But I think that I’d personally get annoyed by having to block certain people from seeing certain things (and I get a little paranoid so I’d be constantly testing these settings) – so ultimately, my vote is for two FB accounts.
@Arvind: I’m sure libraries can come up with something as creative as the Ikea campaign, but at the end of the day the success of these campaigns comes down to branding, marketing, and offering the user something. And right now, I’m not sure I know of many libraries that are able to bank on these three elements…
@Dayna: Do you think that if the library’s presence on FB was to be more personal than institutional then perhaps students would be more willing to welcome the library/library staff on FB?