By Lisa Perez Dept of Libraries

What is social networking? Social networking is the practice of expanding the number of one's business and/or social contacts by making connections through individuals. Based on the six degrees of separation concept (the idea that any two people on the planet could make contact through a chain of no more than five intermediaries), social networking establishes interconnected Internet communities (sometimes known as personal networks) that help people make contacts that would be good for them to know, but that they would be unlikely to have met otherwise.six degrees of separation

Why should I participate? To make contacts within the library community To have access to new sources of professional information To keep abreast of innovation in the profession To identify points of collaboration To know people who can help you troubleshoot issues To expand your perspectives, generate fresh energy, and new ideas It’s often fun!

Managing quantity Be selective about who you friend or follow You don’t have to read EVERYTHING Use RSS feed, if desired Set certain times to check your site Don’t join every social networking site – take on only what you can manage – even if that is only one outlet

Managing quality Again, be selective about who you friend or follow De-friend people with whom you never really connected Use features to decline spam-types of communications, like FB applications you don’t want Block invitations from certain prolific “friends” Within Twitter, use hashtags

Privacy vs. Sharing Social networking sites work because people are willing to devote time to sharing information about themselves and are willing to help others “Friendship” in social networking is often an inappropriate term – “contacts” is more precise Separate professional from personal social networking

But it is blocked in the CPS network… Not all sites are blocked First Class conferences are useful There are reasons that some sites are blocked This is important enough to take advantage of when outside the network

What are our students doing? Our new AUP prohibits socially networking with students outside of CPS networks Students use many different sites, but they network for social reasons and with people who share a mutual interest Students should be taught Internet safety They use sites such as World of Warcraft, You Tube, Xbox Live, My Space, Facebook, and various other online gaming sites

Your challenge… Go home and join one site today! It is quick and easy Then, commit to checking that site at least a few times each week

Let’s jump in!