Social Networking: never mind the students, what about us? Use of Social Networking Softwares for professional networking and development for library staff Jennifer Creese, Jacky Cribb, Jo Spicer The University of Queensland Library

What is Social Networking? “ Use of a website to connect with those sharing personal or professional interests…” – Webster’s dictionary (2006) “ Creating community, sharing content and collaborating with others” – OCLC (2007)

“ Use of a website to connect with those sharing personal or professional interests…” – Webster’s dictionary (2006)

“ Creating community, sharing content and collaborating with others” – OCLC (2007)

Purpose of the Project Social networking for professional networking/development “ In students’ space” not a popular idea Poor knowledge & confusion over SNSes among most staff A few staff already actively using SNSes

Social networking for professional networking/development

“ In students’ space” not a popular idea

Poor knowledge & confusion over SNSes among most staff

A few staff already actively using SNSes

SNSes in the Workplace Widely used in business Suit modern work styles/cultures “ Companies that do not embrace social networking are making a huge mistake” – Jeremy Burton, CEO, Serena Software

Widely used in business

Suit modern work styles/cultures

“ Companies that do not embrace social networking are making a huge mistake” – Jeremy Burton, CEO, Serena Software

The Library Staff Survey Conducted online. Three pages, 22 questions. Anonymous, no compulsory questions. Surveyed from 6-20 December 60 respondents in total; 63% from direct customer-service departments, 37% “back of house”.

Conducted online. Three pages, 22 questions. Anonymous, no compulsory questions.

Surveyed from 6-20 December

60 respondents in total; 63% from direct customer-service departments, 37% “back of house”.

Results: Age groups Only 1 respondent (<2%) identified as “Generation Y.”

Results: Users of SNSes

Personal vs Professional Use Reasons for not using SNSes professionally included: Privacy concerns (identified by 33% of respondents) Innapropriateness of technology for work (identified by 23% of respondents)

Reasons for not using SNSes professionally included:

Privacy concerns (identified by 33% of respondents)

Innapropriateness of technology for work (identified by 23% of respondents)

Results: Professional Networking Main reasons for not participating outside regular work: Lack of time (identified by 50% of respondents) Activities not convenient times or locations (identified by 50% of respondents) More comfortable with professional development internal to the workplace (identified by 30% of respondents)

Main reasons for not participating outside regular work:

Lack of time (identified by 50% of respondents)

Activities not convenient times or locations (identified by 50% of respondents)

More comfortable with professional development internal to the workplace (identified by 30% of respondents)

Online Professional Networking Benefits of professional development online included: Reaches more people (identified by 60% of respondents) No time/geography boundaries (identified by 60% of respondents) Online communication ‘easier’ (identified by 21% of respondents)

Benefits of professional development online included:

Reaches more people (identified by 60% of respondents)

No time/geography boundaries (identified by 60% of respondents)

Online communication ‘easier’ (identified by 21% of respondents)

Other major themes Openness to potential Information/technology overload Comparison with face-to-face: auxilliary, not replacement Confusion over what is and is not an SNS

Openness to potential

Information/technology overload

Comparison with face-to-face: auxilliary, not replacement

Confusion over what is and is not an SNS

The Training Program Part of overall “UQL 2.0” program – based around ‘23 Things’ programs Non-compulsory; flexible structure; basic level of Web 2.0 familiarity. Uses Facebook as the SNS of choice UQL Staff Facebook Group

Part of overall “UQL 2.0” program – based around ‘23 Things’ programs

Non-compulsory; flexible structure; basic level of Web 2.0 familiarity.

Uses Facebook as the SNS of choice

UQL Staff Facebook Group

Purpose of training in SNSes Addressing barriers and concerns raised in the staff survey: Privacy Appropriateness for work Time “ Tech Overload”

Addressing barriers and concerns raised in the staff survey:

Privacy

Appropriateness for work

Time

“ Tech Overload”

Guidelines for SNS Use Monitor/limit private information shared Careful outreach on an individual level Limit ‘time-wasting’ Keep up-to-date; ‘Scrap and Run’ if necessary

Monitor/limit private information shared

Careful outreach on an individual level

Limit ‘time-wasting’

Keep up-to-date; ‘Scrap and Run’ if necessary

Potential future developments UQ Liaison Librarian “e-Forums” Use by project groups & working parties Potential outreach to academics, researchers and students Facebook marketing – fan pages, applications etc

UQ Liaison Librarian “e-Forums”

Use by project groups & working parties

Potential outreach to academics, researchers and students

Facebook marketing – fan pages, applications etc

Conclusion Potential in SNSes for professional use evident to staff AND management Training can assist in overcoming barriers to use Great potential for further development Cautious use is necessary

Potential in SNSes for professional use evident to staff AND management

Training can assist in overcoming barriers to use

Great potential for further development

Cautious use is necessary