Social Networks

 

Social networks are online social hubs or "third places" where people gather to discover and interact with like-minded individuals.  They are places where people can express themselves creatively through blogs, photo slideshows, video sharing, creating customized user profiles, and more.

 

 

My Space

 

• A social netorking community where friends can share photos, blog, join groups, promote events
• Seventh-highest trafficked website on the Internet
• Over 200 million users
• Large community of independent musicians

 

 

What Age Range Makes up 40.6 of MySpace users (in US)?

• 12-17
• 18-24
• 25-34
• 35-54
• 55+

 

 

Features

• Detailed profiles lead to users' blog entries, groups, friends, comments, photos, and videos
• Detailed browse by user with advanced criteria
• Various search features
• Can Join Groups
• Can leave comments on others' profiles
• Can listen to hundreds of thousands of songs, watch thousands of videos
• Search for events in your area
• Discover new filmmakers, bands, and comedians

 

Great Tools for:

• Portals
• Networking
• Marketing
• Outreach
• Branding

 

 

 

Hands-on

 

Exercise:

• Go to MySpace

• Browse members by criteria
• Listen to a "Featured Artist" in the Music section
• Locate the Applications Gallery

 

 

 

Facebook

 

• A social netorking community where friends can share photos, post items, add applications, join groups, create pages
• Originally for college and university populations only
• Over 120 million active users
• Fifth-highest trafficked website on the Internet

 

Features

• Detailed user profiles lead to friends, groups, apps, blogs, status updates
• Applications
• Join Groups
• News Feeds
• Requests &Notifications
• Can leave comments on other members' Walls
• Posted Items
• Chat
• Friends
• Privacy Settings
• Corporate, Organizational, & Musician Pages

 

 

How Are Libraries Using Social Networking?

• To promote library services and resources
• To allow users to search their catalog from their My Space profile
• To promote new acquisitions including as CDs, DVDs, and books
• To promote IM Reference
• To create a  library portal
• For librarian outreach
• To share photos and promote the library
• To offer catalog search and live librarian support
• To create their own social networking community

 

 

How Are Librarians Using Social Networking?

• For keeping up and professional networking
• To establish professional ties and find business opportunities

 

 

Other social networking applications

• Library 2.0 Network on Ning
• LinkedIn
• Bebo

 

 

 

Hands-on

Exercise:

• Go to Facebook

• Create an Account
• Search for Friends
• Browse applications and add one to profile