Well, I am resorting to Zoho Writer to write this Post as I have been having intermittent problems with my use of Blogspot. At the moment it seems to work for me in the morning, but quite frankly "craps out" when I want to use it in the evening. The Learning Team, in response to my anguished e-mail reminded me of Zoho Writer. Now why didn't I think of that before? So at least I am making use of an earlier Exercise to get this one to you. If it works this time I will definitely be a fan of Zoho.....
But to #22. Now if you have read my previous Post for #21, you will have seen that I wasn't the biggest fan. Now this one is an extension of that and I have revised my opinions somewhat. I began, as instructed by dipping into the List of Libraries using My Space. Quite amazing it was too but surely not a comprehensive one. Methinks that it would be better described as a List of "American" Libraries using My Space, not that I am decrying the use of the word American, one must remember though that this was but one resource on the subject. Then I went off to take a look at Meredith Frakas' article on "Social Networking Software." She made some salient points and I make one quote here :- Whether we like it or not, our patrons between the ages of 16 and 25 overwhelmingly use MySpace and Facebook, and are not going to stop using them no matter what policies we put in place. As librarians who should know our users, we should at least be aware of what they’re doing online and see what roles the library can play in our patrons’ online social worlds. And quite right to!
Beth Evans put forward a most excellent case in her particular article entitled "Your Space & My Space. She evidently was e-mailing her daughter and was not getting a response. Later she found out that she was leaving her messages in the wrong place. Her daughter relied soley on her Facebook site for receiving her messages. Beth was later to be able to make use of her daughter's skills when it came to setting up her own Library employer's "My Space" site. Food for thought for me!
Now for my summary. I do think that we, as a LIbrary should be making use of such sites as this, but, and a big BUT, they must be attractive to those we want to reach. It must not be left to someone who feels that they can "give it a go" and get away with anything, but should be professional in it's content and have a relevance to those we want to reach and still appeal to other age groups. Is that an impossible demand? I hope not..... Let North Shore Libraries rise to the challenge.
1 comment:
Very well put - I agree one hundred percent with your views. Isn't is amazing how much we have learned and how it has made us think about the influence of the Web on everyone's lives, particularly the young? I have RSS Feeds to all the sites I visit regularly and now keep up with world news and views hot off the press. I must say that I am missing emails though - they are more personal than a blog because one thinks about the person to whom one is writing rather than just posting a generic item intended for "Dear All" - the 'Dear All' now including the entire world and his wife. Will have to get Broadband! Looking forward to your Last Word! Think we all need to get together to celebrate our hard earned victories over the machine and its machinations. Any suggestions? Will have to have a word with our Auntyof3 who is always full of good ideas.
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