This week, my time is quite limited and so I have really only explored Facebook. This is a completely new realm for me, and I find that my personality is such that a social network that does not have a face to face component to it is very foreign for me and somehow awkward. But I think that younger generations are more familiar with this technology and it is something that could be useful if applied in a thoughtful way. I have explore much more, but it could be helpful to have a professional area and a personal area to one's facebook account. I think that the networking is useful however it occurs. But the skills needed to do it on-line are different than in the usual way. One has to be more careful in protecting privacy. It is harder to know what information we are putting out on to the web and how it will be used, either for good or for bad. And the networking that occurs may not be as specific as one would like it since Facebook is now including anyone that wishes to join.

But I think that if MLA is using Facebook or some other website to connect members, then reluctant participatants will learn these skills. And many emerging librarians will have these skills already. I am wondering how email and websites combined differ from the facebook path. I am not sure I see yet how this method is better than using websites and email. Perhaps it is a lack of knowledge about Facebook and MySpace. I feel that I have much more to learn.

How can social networking be used by MLA to connect members?



Should your library have a Facebook or MySpace page?



Are there privacy concerns for individuals when using social networking sites?



What did you like or not like about your experience with Facebook or MySpace.