Were libraries invited to the MySpace party? November 14, 2006
Posted by karen t in Uncategorized.trackback
Meredith Farkas talks about how some libraries are using MySpace and Facebook to build an online presence. There are many examples of libraries that have pages on MySpace such as Hennepin County Library and Brooklyn College Library. However, somehow these sites seem kind of like the “cool parents” at the kids’ party. Despite achieving some measure of success (as judged by the number of friends and comments) I am left with the uneasy feeling that something is not quite right with the picture. Should libraries be actively entering users’ social space to push their agendas? We can go to where the users gather socially, but to me this seems intrusive. Remember Danah Boyd and the need for “youth space”?
Casey Bisson sums it up nicely:
After all, people have been gathering in bars for years, but we don’t see branches opening in Cheers or libraries offering Irish coffee in their new coffee shops.
He suggests that we should instead be looking at how information is being exchanged using these technologies. Users collaborate, share information and make comments. Can they do these things on their library’s website? Stephen Abram asks some really insightful questions related to the success of these social networking sites and discusses what we can learn from them. What is really needed are library initiatives that focus on building tools that reflect the underlying community while at the same time serving the purpose of access to information.
I agree that libraries need to be very careful about where and on whom they’re imposing themselves. It’s definitely not cool to be the “uninvited guest” at the electronic party.
Like you, I like the suggestion that library’s rather examine the reasons behind the popularity of these sites and try to apply similar principles at the library or through the library’s electronic services to teens.
Hi Karen, thanks for your opinion expressed here that libraries should not encroach upon youth’s private space. I certainly see your point and appreciated an alternate viewpoint to my own. But I must counter with ‘if it ain’t broke…’. Should libraries be investing resources in reinventing the wheel? Or should they be presenting themselves wherever the patrons are? This seems to me like a basic advertising tactic. I’m all for creating a myspace presence to attract youth, I just wouldn’t recommend that libraries pester other myspace users to befriend them and let those who are interested come to them. So, I guess the trick for me is not to become a creepy, leering parent (a la American Beauty) at the Kid’s party. Just offer some refreshments and go back upstairs.
I have to say that the analogies shared in this conversation are great! I’m highly entertained.
I lean toward creating a useful library presence in myspace because I wouldn’t want the library to appear out-of-the-loop or in opposition to the social phenomenon, andI agree that the library not crash the party. Eavesdrop maybe?