Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs David Bietila Elizabeth Edwards The George Washington University

Facebook What is it? Who uses it?

What is it?

Who uses it?

Facebook & Libraries Growing library interest in Facebook Friending students Announcing events through Facebook messages Publicizing new resources

Growing library interest in Facebook

Friending students

Announcing events through Facebook messages

Publicizing new resources

Our Library & Facebook

Our University

Our Library

Creating this Study

Research Questions What role does technology play in our students' study habits? What role does Facebook play in the lives of GW students? How can the library use Facebook to connect with GW students?

What role does technology play in our students' study habits?

What role does Facebook play in the lives of GW students?

How can the library use Facebook to connect with GW students?

Methodology Ethnographic approach Three phases: Review of profiles and observation of student activity on Facebook Survey of GW students Semi-structured interviews with Facebook users

Ethnographic approach

Three phases:

Review of profiles and observation of student activity on Facebook

Survey of GW students

Semi-structured interviews with Facebook users

Interview Questions How does Facebook as a recreational practice impact your study habits and academic life? How would you feel if a librarian “friended” you? Under what circumstances would you feel comfortable “friending” a librarian or accepting a librarian’s friend request? What sort of information would you expect/want to find on a librarian’s profile page?

How does Facebook as a recreational practice impact your study habits and academic life?

How would you feel if a librarian “friended” you? Under what circumstances would you feel comfortable “friending” a librarian or accepting a librarian’s friend request?

What sort of information would you expect/want to find on a librarian’s profile page?

Findings

Findings: Why do students use Facebook?

Findings: Students use Facebook to…

Findings: Use and Affects How frequently do students use Facebook for academic purposes? How do they feel Facebook use affects their academic performance?

Findings: Perceptions of Staff How do you feel about university staff having Facebook profiles? I don’t know I’m uncomfortable with it I’m comfortable with it I like it

How do you feel about university staff having Facebook profiles?

Findings: Getting Help

Recommendations

Recommendations When developing a virtual presence, consider students’ actual perceptions of the library.

When developing a virtual presence, consider students’ actual perceptions of the library.

Recommendations Also consider how students view and interact with librarians in the real world.

Also consider how students view and interact with librarians in the real world.

Recommendations Provide resources, but don’t be surprised if students don’t use them.

Provide resources, but don’t be surprised if students don’t use them.

Recommendations Recognize that Facebook may play a role in librarians’ lives too.

Recognize that Facebook may play a role in librarians’ lives too.

Thank you! David Bietila [email_address] Elizabeth Edwards [email_address]