Do you think libraries should be on Facebook & other social networks - why or why not?
It seems like this is a controversial question this week with a lot of people unsure about the idea of libraries hosting social networking sites. To me, a Facebook or MySpace page is just another way for libraries to market their services. The social networking sites are like websites, but more interactive and more multi-media friendly. They are more of a 'push' medium than a website, which is a 'pull' medium. If you have 'fans' or 'friends', then you can instantly inform them of events or new services, rather than wait for them to visit your website to learn abut them. I also love the idea of adding a search portal to your catalog right on the site -- it creates very easy access.
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I enjoyed your push/pull analogy. I think you hit on a big advantage of Facebook, that it can be used to attract users away from Facebook and to a library's content-rich website.