Shirley Garcia
Student ID #: 11468539
Info 506: Social Networking for Information Professionals
Lyn Hay—Fall 2010
Hello everyone! This is my very first blog! I have never created one before, but I somehow knew exactly where to go to create one! I found that slightly odd ;)…
Anyway, this blog has been created for my Social Networking class, but I may decide to keep it for personal use after this course has ended. I suppose that my decision will be based on how much I enjoy blogging.
I love to write, so I am assuming that I will enjoy blogging. Putting my thoughts out for everyone to see is new for me, so I am interested to see how I respond to it J
This brings me to my class work…This is assignment #1. The question has been presented in three parts, so I will answer it accordingly.
(a) What is social networking?
Defining social networking is very interesting to me. I think that the technology that enables social networking on the internet is constantly evolving and changing. As such, I am unsure if it is necessary to include the tools used in the definition of social networking. The tools—wiki’s, blog’s and the like allow access in a comfortable atmosphere. These tools create an element of privacy. Yes, the information is often made public, but the individual creating it can remain somewhat anonymous. This allows the creator to allow, ironically enough, more of themselves to come through. I think that individuals who engage in various aspects of social networking find the act of creating themselves in any way they feel adequate, a freeing experience.
This brings to mind one of my recent experiences using You Tube, which until recently, I had never thought of as a social networking tool. I utilized it when I was looking for a specific song, video, or comedic clip when I knew that I probably wouldn’t find it anywhere else. While on You Tube, I stumbled upon a young boy (I believe he was 13) who had videotaped himself singing popular radio hits. Each video showed him in the same room (probably his bedroom), and each was purposely corny and hilarious. I became curious about this child who was brave enough to be silly in front of an anonymous viewing audience. So, I went to what I believe is called his 'channel'. On this page, I found comments and information about the poster.
Yes, there was an occasional rude comment, but the majority were overwhelmingly positive. This thirteen year old boy had (if I remember correctly) over a million views (maybe millions, I’m not sure), and nearly as many followers. Aside from his videos, he also gave a limited amount of information about himself. As I read, he apologized for the fact that he would not post for a while. He could not post because he was having yet another brain stem surgery—he would not be allowed to turn his neck for a while. All I could think of was “wow, he is really brave. It’s awesome that he has found a positive outlet; a positive community of people to have fun and make friends”. I used to think that social networking should be done in person. If you want to be social, go meet people! I did not think about individuals who perhaps cannot, for a variety of reasons, meet people face to face, or of those who simply would rather not. The internet has opened new doors for many. Not only is that really neat, it is something that I never thought of before.
So, what is social networking? I think social networking involves creating connections with others to fulfill a specific need. This need can be an emotional and/or psychological one (loneliness, catharsis, etc-), or perhaps the need is more extrinsic (business, financial, etc.-). The tools are becoming more technologically advanced, allowing for more control and creation, which perhaps makes the experience more inviting and enjoyable, yet the human need for connection is what is of importance.
(b) What social networking tools do I use?
Before reading the assigned articles, I didn’t really think that I used social networking technologies. That however, was based on my own naïve misconceptions on social networking. I have created wiki’s for several classes while pursuing my MLIS, which contained info from wedding cakes to books on Buddhism for children. I am on You Tube several times a week, and while I rarely check it, I currently have a facebook account. I used to have a MySpace account as well, but I have not used it in years. That account was entirely private, and while I can be searched on facebook, the amount of information I provide is limited; very little personal information is displayed. I am particular as to who I accept as a friend on facebook, and have very few pictures displayed. The site has allowed me to connect with individuals I have not seen in years, which is really neat. After, the connection however, I prefer the telephone and texting.
(c) What do I want to learn from INF 506: Social Networking for Information Professionals?
Well there seems to be so many different types of social networking tools, I would really like to explore them, especially since I find some of them to be off putting (like twitter, which I have never used). I am interested in learning how these can be used safely and how information professionals can utilize these sites to create connections with patrons, and how they can encourage both learning and fun. If people who use the sites read more, as the class readings suggest through studies, how can this knowledge reach and benefit library patrons? How can information professionals reach out to their youngest patrons? Do young people know about what is available?
This would conclude the end of my first blog entry! Hope you have enjoyed it J I had fun writing it :)
