Thing 21. Beyond MySpace: Other Social Networks

MySpace and Facebook may grab the headlines in social networking, but there are many other social networks. Social networks are online communities created around interests with people-to-people recommendations and communication. These specialized social networks allow like-minded users to find and interact with one another, whether around crafts or cars or any other shared interest. In this Thing, we'll take a look at some of these networks.

The first three have broad appeal:


Gather
Gather describes itself as the “leading social networking and media site for adults, with some of the highest quality user-generated content on the internet.” Most of the discussion on Gather is in a debate format, focused around a single issue, book, or theme to appeal to busy professionals. American Public Media is heavily invested in this site as an outlet for National Public Radio listeners. Minnesota Public Radio Groups: Minnesota Readers and Minnesota Life.


WebJunction
WebJunction is an online community and portal that supports library staff with technology and library development materials; provides courses for online learning and professional development; and brings the library community together in online discussions and programs. Minnesota has its own customized version of the site, as a collaborative effort of Minnesota State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, MINITEX Library Information Network, and Metronet, a Minnesota Multitype Library System; and WebJunction. Click on Partners to go to WebJunction Minnesota.


Ning
Ning is an alternative social network that is meant for a higher level of customization by its users. The networks are created around special interests, and any user can easily create a network. You can visit the Library 2.0 group, our specially created 23 Things On a Stick group, or any of the other many library groups created in Ning. Note that the 23 Things On a Stick Ning is no longer active since Ning began to charge for the service in July 2010.

Other social networks provide recommendations and reviews, focus on various political candidates, promote career development, or revolve around an interest like music, pets, or food. Even AARP is getting into the social network sphere.

For this Thing,

1. Read these articles:

• How Gather hopes to be the MySpace for Books in Publisher's Weekly
• WebJunction article: Building a Social Networking Environment at the Library

2. Join the 23 Things On a Stick Ning. Do at least 2 of the following:

• Leave comments for another member
• Upload your photos or video to the Ning
• Add the Ning badge to your blog
• Add another of the Ning widgets to your blog

3. Find another social network that might interest you. Explore the ones mentioned already or one of these suggestions:

Education

• Classroom 2.0 Ning
• College 2.0
• Teacher Librarian Ning

Music

• last.fm
• Project Playlist

Food

• Bake Space
• Open Source Food

Movies

• Flixster
• Film Crave

Books

• Whats On My Bookshelf
• Shelfari
• GoodReads

Hobbies

• Fuzzster(pets)
• Yelp (local reviews/recommendations)
• Crafts

Getting Things Done

• 43 Things

You get the idea; there is a social network for everyone. And, on the chance you can't find a social network that matches your interests, start one of your own.

Resources

• Wikipedia list of social network sites
• Nine Ways to Build Your Own Social Network, TechCrunch July 24, 2007
• Tips and tools to help your nonprofit get the most out of online networks, TechSoup, May 5, 2006
• My Guide to Social Networks, a satirical article on social networks in PC Magazine
  

Blog Prompts

• Are you a member of any online communities?
• Are any of these social networks appealing to you?
• What did you find that was interesting and that you might use later?

Thing 22. What Did I Learn Today?

We hope you have learned many new things during 23 Things On a Stick. And one thing you have learned is that Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 are anything but static. Changing, challenging, and exciting are hallmarks of Web 2.0. Here are some other things we hope you have learned:

• It really doesn’t take that much time. You have some new tools—Bloglines, del.icio.us, Digg/Reddit/Newsvine, calendars, to-do lists, and others that make finding news about new tools and ways to use them. You know how to use them to make keeping up easier. Of course, you can spend hours (and hours) playing around with Flickr or YouTube or other tools, but that counts as "improving your skills."

• You know you can do it. Sure, there were trials and tribulations as you learned the new tools or struggled with glitches in the products, but you did finish and you did get the tools to work. That means the next time you see a new tool, you will be ready to figure it out and make it work for you. No fear!
  

• It's fun to know and use these tools. Admit it, YouTube can be entertaining--and you can even see some uses for it in your library. Some of the tools have more toy-like features than others which have a more obvious use. It is amazing what people will think of and more amazing what they create to enhance Flickr, Google, or whatever.

• We need to keep informed. It is easy to get so involved in the day-to-day of story time, library instruction, troubleshooting, programming, reference work, summer reading programs, collection development, faculty meetings, system meetings, meetings and more meetings, and the on and on of the day in the life of a library. In spite of all that work, we do need to stay up on what our patrons are using, talking about, and asking us for help with. As libraries continue to evolve, we need to be informed to evolve with them and guide the evolution.

• We need the support of each other and our administrators and supervisors so we have the time and help we need to learn and stay informed. We hope the communities that have developed around 23 Things On a Stick will continue—whether in a building or a region. Stay in touch through your blogs, IM, and texting!

For this Thing,

1. Make a resolution to maintain your blog, use the tools you now know, keep up with new tools, and apply them in your library. Give yourself the gift of time—15 minutes a day, a Webinar now and then, conversations with colleagues about Library 2.0, whatever—but don't quit now! Put your resolution writing in your blog!

2. Every day, ask yourself, "What did I learn today?" Record your responses in your blog.

So here are some Web sites and blogs to add to your RSS aggregator. There are dozens more—choose ones that speak to you.

Library Web 2.0 Blogs

• Mostly News

• ALA TechSource
• LibraryBytes
  
• Librarian in Black
• LISNews
• Library Stuff

• News and Commentary

• Tame the Web
• Shifted Librarian
• Information Wants To Be Free
• Blue Skunk Blog
• Dangeroulsy Irrelevant
• NeverEnding Search
  

• General Web 2.0
• Lifehacker
• 43Folders

• Web 2.0 Directories
• Web2
• Go2Web
• Web2List
  

• Other Ways to Keep Up
• WebJunction-Minnesota offers newsletters, online courses, and other content (free to Minnesota users, thanks to MINITEX, State Library Services, and Metronet).
• OPAL has many online opportunities both live and in its archives to learn about library-related things—Library 2.0, technology, and more.
• Webinars from MINITEX and other sources
• Podcasts on Web 2.0 and library topics—find a few you like and add them to your RSS aggregator.
  

That’s enough. Glance through these, add the ones you like to your RSS aggregator, use others as needed. And remember, you can delete entries from your aggregator, too.

Blog Prompts

• Blog about how you plan to keep up with the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 tools.
• Recommend a way to keep up that you have found useful.

Thing 23. Final Thoughts

Congratulations!! You’ve reached the 23rd thing. Give yourself a pat on the back for completing the program. We hope you have enjoyed the process and learned some things. Tell us, please!

Give us your feedback on your experience by completing this online survey (survey is closed) and by reflecting on your learning by posting a few thoughts.

Here are some questions to prompt you:

• Go back to your thoughts/ideas about Library 2.0. Has anything changed as a result of this experience?
• What were your favorite Things and discoveries?
• How did you connect with others doing the 23 Things On a Stick?
• Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
• What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or content?
• If we offered a 23 More Things On a Stick program like this in the future would you participate?
• How would you describe your learning experience in one word or in one sentence, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things On a Stick learning activities to others?

After all the time and effort you have invested in 23 Things On a Stick, we hope you will continue to experiment with new tools and continue to blog about your learning, your library, and the challenges of Library 2.0. Here are some ideas:

• Maintain your blog as you continue to learn and play with new Web 2.0 tools.
• Add your blog URL to your e-mail signature line.
• Re-purpose your blog as your media center or library blog.
• Share your blog with your colleagues and administrators.
• Start your own 23 Things with colleagues, friends, family. The concept is adaptable to any content--23 Books, 23 Movies, 23 Football Games, 23 Anything You Can Think Of. It is a great way to create and strengthen community through learning and discussion. Be sure to let us know how you plan to continue.

Thanks for participating and being so willing to share!