Module 4: Social Media, Social networking and libraries: Why bother?

I have just completed the first 3 readings for this topic and they have been very helpful in providing many positive reasons for using social networking in the library.

Brookover, S. (2007). Why we blog, Library Journal, 15 November. Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6497263.html

I will be using this article when I am writing up my report about the library blog as it gives many excellent reasons of why we blog.

The author gave an example of a person who was not great technologically, but was able to embrace blogging because it was just simply a matter of "typing in a box". My goodness they could be talking about me. I just love blogging because it is so easy and everyone things you are really technologically savvy!

 

The majority of the people interviewed for this article all confirmed that blogs can break down the institutional wall between libraries and the members of the community.

We are also told that blogging is a creative and easy way to reach tech savvy people. 

Blogging is only limited by the bloggers imagination.

Casey, M. & Stephens, M. (2009). You can’t afford not to do these things, Library Journal, 15 March. Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6639942.html?industryid=47356

This article has been written in response to the economic downturn and the possible cut backs in staffing within libraries.

They emphasize that tight budgets should foster creativity, and social networking is free and can be used to promote libraries.

As the article says "All it takes is ingenuity and the proper mindset" because the tools are free or low cost.

Andy Burkhardt’s post Four Reasons Libraries Should be on Social Media  (August 25, 2009).

Burkhardt (2009) gives the following reasons why libraries should take advantage of social media.

1. Communication- A way of staying in contact with your patrons.
2. Respond to Positive/Negative feedback. 
3. Marketing/advertising.
4. Understanding users better.