Facebook & Libraries: An Ethnographic Evaluation

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Let’s see a show of hands. How many of you are members of Facebook? How many of you have connected with coworkers through Facebook? Family members? Long-lost friends or classmates? What about patrons? Now, how many of you are really comfortable with the whole idea of being on Facebook? How many of you think that using Facebook to reach library patrons is a good idea? I’m Elizabeth Edwards, and I’m a Reference/Technology Librarian at the Gelman Library at the George Washington University. My colleagues and research partners – David Bietila and Chris Bloechl – are unable to be with us today. I’m here to talk to you today about my library’s use – and subsequent evaluation of – Facebook. In the next 45 minutes, I’ll give you a sense of what students really think about the library’s use of Facebook based on our research – and describe how our Facebook campaign changed as a result. There will be time for questions at the end.

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Facebook & Libraries: An Ethnographic Evaluation - Presentation Transcript

Facebook & Libraries: An Ethnographic Evaluation Elizabeth Edwards The George Washington University
Facebook
- What is it?
- Who uses it?
Facebook: What is It?
- A social networking site
- A community of more than 90 million active users
- A development platform
- “ A social utility that connects you with the people around you.”
Facebook: Who Uses It?
- As of 2006, 55% of all teens who use social networking sites have used Facebook or Myspace, and 48% visit daily or more often.
- “ The fastest growing demographic is those 25 years and older.”
GW and Facebook
Our University
Our Library
Our Students and Facebook
The Library and Facebook
- Your
- Librarian
- Is
- Your
- Friend
The Library and Facebook
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?
Methodology
- Three phases:
Survey Questions
Survey Questions
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 (social or practical)?
Students and Facebook
Students and Facebook
Students and Facebook
Students and Facebook
Librarians and Facebook
Librarians and Facebook
Librarians and Facebook
- “ Weird.”
Librarians and Facebook
Librarians and Facebook
- “ Oh, well I would use that .”
Librarians and Facebook
Librarians and Facebook
- “ Just please don't start Poking us kids.”
Reflections
On This Study…
On Facebook…
Thank you Elizabeth Edwards [email_address]