Social Network

As always the Commoncraft video explained in good basic language how social networking happens. As an older person I find the whole idea of finding a job, friends and partners on a social networking site a tad desperate. Is there anything wrong with hidden connections, does this not leave some aspects of our life open to serendipity?

I have enjoyed blogging, I have enjoyed reading comments and the camaraderie I feel with fellow library bloggers has quite surprised me. I must say I have some concern regarding the number of young people that seem to be addicted MySpace and Facebook.
Are we going to lose the art of face to face communication?

I read an article in one of the major Brisbane papers that spoke of social networking sites being used by employers to check out prospective employees which also made mention that lawyers were now using these sites in courts of law to show the "true" person. This shows that care should be taken when presenting yourself to the World.

With the right people, libraries can use social networking to show the activities of their particular library. Second Life Library is a 3 D World that is able to offer a glimpse at events, lectures, exhibits and collections and is built by its residents.

The map showing a breakdown of popular sites around the World was surprising with a great variation between countries using MySpace, Facebook, Skyblog, Bebo and Netlog.

Josh Bernoff's chart showed how corporations might use social media showed an excellent breakdown of objectives that could support research, marketing, sales and development.

Today our small library had two flamenco dancers and two musicians accompany me at a special dance themed story time. How great it would have been to have been able to advertise online and follow through with a presentation on the activity. As always in our system there just isn't the staff available to devote to this pursuit.