A Little Bit of S&M

The topic of today is Social Media (get your head out of the gutter this is a library blog sheesh) I’ve read some articles suggested by my instructor on the pros and cons of social media and come back with the conclusion that it really isn’t about “pros and cons” it’s about the fact that social media is a reality of communication in the information age. That being stated people shouldn’t assume that there are rules of using it, ethics certainly but no rules. 

If you can use a social media tool as an internal tool, or for the functionality of improving your operations or works space I say go for it! So would anyone in the technology industry. Finding new ways to use software is what makes it even more popular and the developers will thank you for it. I will too since it gives me a job. The only caution I will give is when using social media be aware that it is intended to be “social” that means it may be lacking in privacy controls in many cases for internal use.

One thing I noticed when I started my Library studies is that the program falls under the heading “arts” social media actually has placed the expectations on us to get creative and find new, effective and exciting ways of using technology, web 2.0 and social media (overlap applies in these terms and I use them loosely)

There are a lot of types of libraries with very different needs and librarians have to have the technical education and awareness to make these technologies work for their needs or they have indeed missed the boat. If they aren’t getting what they need out of the technology but are still using it they fell overboard a few islands back. Keep in mind many social media tools are free, and all are customizable. Every artist has looked at something and gone “ok back to the drawing board” or we wouldn’t have that expression. Libraries need to apply the same logic and attitude.  I know we like to hold onto things but sometimes we need to let go if something isn’t working for us and try again.

One of the cons that I had a bit of an issues with being listed, in regards to the use of social media was that the audience was too broad. Yes the average public library in Manitoba doesn’t need users from Japan. However the library is a huge resource for newly immigrated families and could use social media as an outreach resource to people planning to come to Canada, even allow them to feel they are part of the community before getting here. Range isn’t the issue.  A lot of the negatives I hear about social media I can't help but relate to someone using the wrong end of a screwdriver and then complaining the tool doesn't work right. Social media doesn't necessarily have the same rules or instruction manual of conventional hardware tools, but their are effective and non effective ways to use it. You can turn a screwdriver using all the proper methods and following of instructions you want but if your turning the the wrong way the screw still isn't going to grip. A lot of "negatives" listed for social media seem to be from people who couldn't get the screw to grip they way they wanted, or like in my garden reference in my first blog entry, didn't put in the time needed to get the results they wanted.

Like doing a resource search in a database it’s about narrowing your audience to who you want then marketing it. If you want local people on your face book page, youtube or twitter account. Then you have to put it the marketing to let them know your accounts are available and open to them and give them the information on how to use them. Holding social media instructional sessions at the library where people can learn about the tools and how to use them are an idea. Plain old fashioned posters on the cork board of the library or at local schools that students may drift over from are another possibility. This gets you the users you want on your page not some random button mashing spam bot encouraging you to join the latest S&M site. (Don’t be fooled that last S&M defiantly is not refereeing to social media. )