Social Networking: friend or foe? March 26, 2008

Our readings focused on the two sides of social networking: the benefits of collected knowledge and community as seen in the success of LibraryThing and the dangers of the loss of privacy.  One can’t exist without the other, though with a bit of techno savvy the user can be smart about what they reveal.   As the articles reminded us, whatever information you provide is no longer owned by you, but by whatever company owns the site and if Facebook (or any other site) wants to mix your information with advertising, they can.  “KnittinMama just read ‘Yeast Connection and the Woman’ – Buy it now at Amazon!”  As librarians, part of our role is in promoting and teaching information literacy and this piece has got to be in there.  In the classes I have had during my MLIS program, the topic of information literacy has arrisen many times, but more in terms of evaluating sources and detecting bias, not in how to interact with the media. 

I think social networking is the cornerstone which all of Web 2.0 is based upon.  As I see it Web 2.o is the result of a world where social networking is possible.  There are schools of psychology based upon groups and soon we will see one based upon virtual groups.  It is overwhelming to think of all the accumulated resources created through the thousands upon thousands of social networking sites and then to consider all the personal connections that have enriched people’s lives.  It’s happened so fast.  Our articles spoke specifically about LibraryThing and its benefits as a reader’s advisory service and positive community.  I have personally enjoyed LibraryThing as a tool for cataloging not what I own, but what I’ve read as a way to build my own personal tool.  I’ve also spoke of the communities I’ve found Ravelry and 43 Things.  I’ve definitely created some relationships on those sites that are very valuable to me. 

We’ve also all heard stories in the media of the potential dangers of mob mentality in social networking sites.  It’s not that different from people in real life.  I think people often blame the technology, rather than the people using the technology.  It reminds me of something I read while doing research on online tutorials.  If an online tutorial is designed badly, students will often say that they dislike online tutorials.  If a traditional lecture is performed badly, students will say that they disliked the instructor, not that they hate lectures.

The Minnesota Book Awards and Library 2.0

One thing this class has done is given me a new perspective with which to evaluate the world around me.  This Fall I began an internship with the Friends of the St. Paul Library working on the Minnesota Book Awards.  Last year they made a significant 2.0 improvement to the Awards with the creation of the Readers’ Choice Award.  At http://www.twincities.com/bookawards anyone can vote for their favorite finalist book.  In the first year they got about 3,000 votes and this year it has doubled.  (Voting is open until March 31 – so if you are reading this before that go check it out)  Other things that they are doing include posting book discussion guides and video author interviews from last year winners.  The goal is to build a library of free guides and interviews for use by any public library. 

This is a great beginning, but my brain can imagine more, such as discussion boards both for the public and a private one for the judges.  It’s the latter idea that intrigues me.  Due to my mother’s health, I took an I last term in User Instruction and I will be completing the work once this class is completed.  The main thing I need to do is create an online tutorial.  (Actually, it worked out pretty well to do this after taking this class)  I had been planning to create a tutorial for the judges about the MBA policies and procedures and tips on how to judge the merit of a book.  Now I think I’ll create a wiki that not only would have the tutorial in it, but a discussion area for the judges to talk to each other – similar to how the National Book Awards run their judge interactions – and a discussion area for the judges to talk to the office.  After all, why answer question one at a time, when there’s probably someone else out there with the same question.  The wiki would, of course, be password protected. 

Currently the Minnesota Book Awards does not want the judges to talk amongst themselves in advance of the offical judging day.  I think this is to insure that their thoughts do not become public and to guard against one judge dominiating the discussion.  When I started there, I didn’t question this policy.  Through the lens of Library 2.0, I question the secrecy.  On judging day, there are faciliators in the room to help insure that all judges get to speak their minds.  I don’t really see where having discussions prior to the actual judging day would hurt the process.  Final decisions wouldn’t be made, but the conversation could get deeper.  Especially when you realize that in the preliminary round of judging, the judges are often comparing up to about 50 books and selecting 4 for the finalist slots.  There is often a wide range of materials in the same catagory and I think a long-term discussion over a lengthy period of time would be a good thing.

 I’m really curious to know what you guys think. 

Help with del.icio.us

Hey there guys.  I’ve been trying to post stuff to the class del.icio.us account by puttingthe ‘for:lis7680′ in my tags.  It worked way back when we were in class.  I’ve even cut and pasted the tag I used in class into my new additions.  What am I doing wrong?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.