This document discusses personal learning networks and various social media platforms that can be used to develop such networks. It describes blogging, microblogging on Twitter, following colleagues and organizations on YouTube, joining interest groups on Ning, and connecting with others on Facebook. Tips are provided on how to use these tools for professional development, networking, staying informed of new publications and events, and promoting library resources and services.

1. Personal Learning Networks Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/christchurchcitylibraries/3291219282/ Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crystaleagle/2386230724/ LeAnn Suchy, Metronet leann@metronet.lib.mn.us

2. Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/christchurchcitylibraries/3080744089/

3. What does your online PLN look like? Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crystaleagle/2386230724/

4. Librarians are blogging about our profession 10 Librarian Blogs to Read in 2010 100 Best Blogs for Librarians of the Future

7. Blog yourself! Some tips… 100 Terrific Tips & Tools for Blogging Librarians Find a focus Use appropriate language Respond to comments Be fun – let personality show Bring up your blog in every day conversation

8. Twitter Microblogging platform, textual platform 140 characters per message Links can be included Newly added – Tweet Your Location

9. Twitter in Plain English

10. Librarians are tweeting about our profession

11. So are authors and others of interest 100 of the Best Authors on Twitter

12. So are organizations and businesses

13. Why use Twitter? Instant updates Headline scanning Staying informed Professional networking Reach wider community Fun

14. How libraries are using Twitter Event promotion New book promotion Search for what people are saying Field-related info / professional development Instant feedback Conferences

15. More info about Twitter Twitter on Library Success Wiki How Your Library Isn’t Using Twitter but Should Twittering Libraries and Case Studies on an LIS class wiki 100 Best Twitter Feeds for Librarians of Future Top 100 Twittering Librarians

16. 100 Awesome YouTube Vids for Librarians

17. Follow YouTube Channels When you upload or create an account in YouTube, you create a channel

18. Neil Gaiman channel

19. BookTV channel

20. TED Talks channel

21. Lee Lefever channel(aka Common Craft “In Plain English”videoguy)

22. Project Information Literacy channel

23. Green Day channel

24. YouTube: More Than Just Cats blog post

25. Nings Free social networks Based around common interest Forums & blogs Additional add-ons Create your own or join already-made Nings

32. Facebook to stay in touch With friends/family, but also With people you meet at conferences Colleagues Internet librarian “friends” With groups of interest to you

36. Pick and choose Don’t need to do all these Pick one or two based upon your needs and liking “Friend” Ann and me in the places you choose!