Monday, 1 March 2010

Thing 13- The use of FaceBook in Libraries

Facebook is starting to be used by several Oxford University Libraries including ours here at the Sainsbury Library. We use it to keep students up to date with new events and information about what databases etc are available in the library. Facebook can also be used to give more general information for example like opening hours. Using a social networking site to do this provides a user friendly way to keep students informed about your library. It also has benefits since Facebook is widely used by students and will email them to inform them about changes to your page.
However it is important to use it correctly and there is a danger that by using a social networking site such as Facebook you may appear less professional. Also as was discussed in the graduate trainee session about Web. 2.0 and the use of Facebook for libraries will studently really log on to Facebook to find out about their library. The most popular application for users of Facebook is the uploading and view of pictures which doesn't necessarily have the strongest benefits for library use. I think that Facebooks primary use for libraries is to publise events such as training sessions etc It is also possible to get feedback on the library and the events it puts on.
However you would have to be prepared for negative feedback or none at all!!!

No comments:

Post a Comment