Comments on: The Amazing Power of Facebook http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/ The official blog of the Young Adult Library Services Association Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:55:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Barb Svoboda http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/comment-page-1/#comment-7493 Barb Svoboda Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:35:30 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1441#comment-7493 I only wanted to set up a page for my library, but couldn't figure out how to do it without setting up a personal profile as well. So now I have friends from my profile page, adults and a few teens, not many by FB standards! and the library group page has a larger list of people - mostly teens- who have joined that group. I am often frustrated that when I want to post things to the group page, they sometimes end up on my profile page instead. I'd love to put the magnetic poetry app on the group page, for example, but can't seem to make it post there. I am trying to find ways of putting things on the group page that will encourage the teens to leave behind some evidence that they visited the page. Most of the wall posts end up being my own! I do not ask to friend teens. I don't want them to feel like I'm lurking in their space. If they want to friend me, that's fine, but I'd be happier if they just joined the library group page. I have a "Find us on FB" link on the library website as another way of letting them know we're there. I only wanted to set up a page for my library, but couldn’t figure out how to do it without setting up a personal profile as well. So now I have friends from my profile page, adults and a few teens, not many by FB standards! and the library group page has a larger list of people – mostly teens- who have joined that group. I am often frustrated that when I want to post things to the group page, they sometimes end up on my profile page instead. I’d love to put the magnetic poetry app on the group page, for example, but can’t seem to make it post there. I am trying to find ways of putting things on the group page that will encourage the teens to leave behind some evidence that they visited the page. Most of the wall posts end up being my own!

I do not ask to friend teens. I don’t want them to feel like I’m lurking in their space. If they want to friend me, that’s fine, but I’d be happier if they just joined the library group page. I have a “Find us on FB” link on the library website as another way of letting them know we’re there.

]]> By: TRMite http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/comment-page-1/#comment-7430 TRMite Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:58:30 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1441#comment-7430 Floating Clouds, I for one have the time to maintain more than one social network, in fact I keep up with seven different social networks. However, only two are work-related and done on work time. I think it's entirely appropriate to have a different account for your work world and in fact it's likely a good use of municipal funds since it easily divides work and play. I met a librarian at ALA who described how her first experience with Facebook was after learning about it at a library conference. She was now using it a lot at work but wondered if it was wasting her employers time since most of what she was currently doing was connecting with old friends. I suggested that she maintain two accounts and she loved the idea. This isn't censorship at all but rather compartmentalizing your online life in an appropriate way. Floating Clouds, I for one have the time to maintain more than one social network, in fact I keep up with seven different social networks. However, only two are work-related and done on work time. I think it’s entirely appropriate to have a different account for your work world and in fact it’s likely a good use of municipal funds since it easily divides work and play.

I met a librarian at ALA who described how her first experience with Facebook was after learning about it at a library conference. She was now using it a lot at work but wondered if it was wasting her employers time since most of what she was currently doing was connecting with old friends. I suggested that she maintain two accounts and she loved the idea. This isn’t censorship at all but rather compartmentalizing your online life in an appropriate way.

]]> By: Sarah Kline Morgan http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/comment-page-1/#comment-7428 Sarah Kline Morgan Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:17:25 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1441#comment-7428 I use the same Facebook profile for both personal and professional interactions, but, like a previous commenter, I use the "limited profile" feature with library teens. However, unlike the original poster, I never initiate friend requests. I don't want to put teens an awkward position -- to make them feel as though I'll be angry or judgmental if they don't want to be my "friend." And there are lots of teens who *don't* want to friend adults -- any adults! -- no matter how cool they are. I can understand this impulse, of wanting to keep some aspects of their lives private -- since most of us feel the same way. I use the "message" feature with library teens who join our library groups (we have individual groups for different library programs: our podcast and our anime club) -- but who haven't friended me. And that seems to work well as a compromise. They're still *accessible* through Facebook, even if we're not "friends." I use the same Facebook profile for both personal and professional interactions, but, like a previous commenter, I use the “limited profile” feature with library teens.

However, unlike the original poster, I never initiate friend requests. I don’t want to put teens an awkward position — to make them feel as though I’ll be angry or judgmental if they don’t want to be my “friend.” And there are lots of teens who *don’t* want to friend adults — any adults! — no matter how cool they are. I can understand this impulse, of wanting to keep some aspects of their lives private — since most of us feel the same way. I use the “message” feature with library teens who join our library groups (we have individual groups for different library programs: our podcast and our anime club) — but who haven’t friended me. And that seems to work well as a compromise. They’re still *accessible* through Facebook, even if we’re not “friends.”

]]> By: Floating Clouds http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/comment-page-1/#comment-7424 Floating Clouds Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:23:50 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1441#comment-7424 I have discovered that the teens I deal with at my library are very articulate, bright, aware & curious. I trust, respect and admire them, and trust in their abilities to think for themselves and make their own critical decisions about a myriad of subjects. As an adult role model, I am always open for discourse & debate with them if they so choose. Freedom of speech, thought and expression are what public library's are all about. I see no reason to censor my FB for particular groups. That seems discriminatory & ageist. Plus, who has the time to maintain more than 1 online social network? Also, I see no reason to 'limit' my friends to just local folks from my community. How narrow a scale is that? Some of my FB friends I met at ALA or at other libraries across the US. They all have such wonderful and diverse experiences to share. I learn bucket loads in the exchange of ideas with folks outside of my realm and locality. Teens are not stupid and should not be treated condescendingly. I have discovered that the teens I deal with at my library are very articulate, bright, aware & curious. I trust, respect and admire them, and trust in their abilities to think for themselves and make their own critical decisions about a myriad of subjects. As an adult role model, I am always open for discourse & debate with them if they so choose. Freedom of speech, thought and expression are what public library’s are all about. I see no reason to censor my FB for particular groups. That seems discriminatory & ageist. Plus, who has the time to maintain more than 1 online social network? Also, I see no reason to ‘limit’ my friends to just local folks from my community. How narrow a scale is that? Some of my FB friends I met at ALA or at other libraries across the US. They all have such wonderful and diverse experiences to share. I learn bucket loads in the exchange of ideas with folks outside of my realm and locality. Teens are not stupid and should not be treated condescendingly.

]]> By: Stephanie Iser http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/comment-page-1/#comment-7405 Stephanie Iser Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:47:47 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1441#comment-7405 i think that having two accounts is a good idea! that would certainly liberate my ability to interact with the teens more. i think that having two accounts is a good idea! that would certainly liberate my ability to interact with the teens more.

]]> By: Sarah Ludwig http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/comment-page-1/#comment-7404 Sarah Ludwig Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:44:30 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1441#comment-7404 Stephanie, that's why I have two accounts, one that's private, which I use to connect with family and friends, and one that's public, which I use to represent myself as a librarian. It's kind of a pain in the butt to switch back and forth, and it can be tricky to know what to do with your work FB, but I think it's worth it to keep things separate. I am friends with former students on my personal FB now, but I don't really want kids that I work with discussing my private life. :) Stephanie, that’s why I have two accounts, one that’s private, which I use to connect with family and friends, and one that’s public, which I use to represent myself as a librarian. It’s kind of a pain in the butt to switch back and forth, and it can be tricky to know what to do with your work FB, but I think it’s worth it to keep things separate. I am friends with former students on my personal FB now, but I don’t really want kids that I work with discussing my private life. :)

]]> By: Stephanie http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/comment-page-1/#comment-7403 Stephanie Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:44:06 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1441#comment-7403 i use facebook as a way to express my thoughts and feelings, much like the teens do! i see it as a great tool for activism and getting my opinion and thoughts out about political beliefs. working in a conservative community, i feel uncomfortable broadcasting that information to teens. however, i also see the value of using FB to connect with teens about the library. My solution was to put the teens in a friend group and set privacy settings so they could not see my updates or shared items. I can still message them when we have a program going on. Most of the teen friends on my list are those i have met in the library, and they wanted me to add them to send them information about programs. We also have a FB group for our branch, and the library system as a whole has a fan page. Just thought I would put that out there in case anyone else uses FB so expressively! i use facebook as a way to express my thoughts and feelings, much like the teens do! i see it as a great tool for activism and getting my opinion and thoughts out about political beliefs. working in a conservative community, i feel uncomfortable broadcasting that information to teens. however, i also see the value of using FB to connect with teens about the library.

My solution was to put the teens in a friend group and set privacy settings so they could not see my updates or shared items. I can still message them when we have a program going on. Most of the teen friends on my list are those i have met in the library, and they wanted me to add them to send them information about programs. We also have a FB group for our branch, and the library system as a whole has a fan page.

Just thought I would put that out there in case anyone else uses FB so expressively!

]]> By: Gottawrite Girl http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/comment-page-1/#comment-7400 Gottawrite Girl Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:11:30 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1441#comment-7400 I am an aspiring author who relishes Facebook! I've met so many friendly writers. There is an endless web of like-minded folks there for the friending!!! I am an aspiring author who relishes Facebook! I’ve met so many friendly writers. There is an endless web of like-minded folks there for the friending!!!

]]> By: Sarah Ludwig http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/comment-page-1/#comment-7399 Sarah Ludwig Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:22:22 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1441#comment-7399 Our library's MySpace account had 200 friends--and two of them are teens from my community. I've been deleting other libraries, publishers, and adult authors as friends, and I still have a ways to go (I'm keeping authors like Maureen Johnson as friends, though). I think that a teen looking at our MySpace would have no reason to add us: we're not connecting with their peers; we're just talking to other libraries, and our messages are only from authors trying to promote their books. However, I do see mk's point about networking. I think Twitter is the perfect place to connect with other libraries. I just think if we look at Facebook as a way to connect with teens, we need to only be friends with teens. I should mention, though, that I have three friends on FB who are not teens in Darien -- two of my co-workers and, um, Linda Braun. Kat, that is a really good point about apps. Maybe the best way to do it is to see what apps the teens are using and then get those! That way it can be another way of communicating and connecting. Our library’s MySpace account had 200 friends–and two of them are teens from my community. I’ve been deleting other libraries, publishers, and adult authors as friends, and I still have a ways to go (I’m keeping authors like Maureen Johnson as friends, though). I think that a teen looking at our MySpace would have no reason to add us: we’re not connecting with their peers; we’re just talking to other libraries, and our messages are only from authors trying to promote their books.

However, I do see mk’s point about networking. I think Twitter is the perfect place to connect with other libraries. I just think if we look at Facebook as a way to connect with teens, we need to only be friends with teens. I should mention, though, that I have three friends on FB who are not teens in Darien — two of my co-workers and, um, Linda Braun.

Kat, that is a really good point about apps. Maybe the best way to do it is to see what apps the teens are using and then get those! That way it can be another way of communicating and connecting.

]]> By: Kat Werner http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/11/19/the-amazing-power-of-facebook/comment-page-1/#comment-7398 Kat Werner Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:33:34 +0000 http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/?p=1441#comment-7398 I love using facebook and myspace to network with teens. I do disagree somewhat with the applications comment. I have found that the flair app especially is a great way to connect with teens. I have teens that send me flair and I send some back. It is especially great because there is tons of cool YA lit type flair (especially if you are connected with teens who like Twilight). I love using facebook and myspace to network with teens. I do disagree somewhat with the applications comment. I have found that the flair app especially is a great way to connect with teens. I have teens that send me flair and I send some back. It is especially great because there is tons of cool YA lit type flair (especially if you are connected with teens who like Twilight).

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