More Than MySpace: Teens, Librarians and Social Networking

Citation

du Preez, M. (2010), "More Than MySpace: Teens, Librarians and Social Networking", The Electronic Library, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 623-624. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471011065436

The development of social networking software and technologies has changed the way in which people interact. People are now able to link up with old friends and to communicate with persons pursuing the same ideas or who have comparable values (Lupa, p.xv). Teenagers have embraced this form of networking. In fact, digital media have become so integrated in their lives that they even think and process information differently from their elders.

More than MySpace is a recent publication focusing on how teenagers use virtual communities in their private lives as well as in the classroom. The book also looks at public libraries that have embraced social networking technologies. The idea is to learn how these libraries successfully reach a wider teenage audience and how they create a safe environment for teenagers to explore the use of social networking technologies.

The book is comprised of nine chapters. A teenager, Dave Moyer, observes the rising popularity of social networking among his peers in Chapter 1. He claims social networking is not new. Teens have always been calling their friends, but instead of phoning them, they now go online and use social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. This use of the sites makes them powerful communication tools but also a source of great concern, especially since there is no control over the quality of the sites the teens will access. With these potential dangers in mind, teachers and public librarians can collaborate by developing sites for teens where they can safely explore their social networking skills and engage in learning while developing their thinking skills. Chapter 3 shares some ideas.

Chapter 4 examines various popular social networking sites and includes examples of how other libraries are using these sites to enhance their own services. However, this requires some planning. Preventing abuse of the library's site is one of the aspects that need to be considered. Chapter 5 provides some guidance.

Social networking technologies have many programming possibilities. These include setting up of creative writing blogs or blogs where teens can share their views of or information about their favourite books. Such blogs can introduce the teens to social networking sites for readers where they can post their comments on book reviews and learn about exciting new titles they can explore. Other ideas include hosting online photo competitions by encouraging teens to post their photos and videos on the library's web site. Podcasting is another useful tool that could be utilised for book talks and readers' advisory. The New York Public Library set up a homework site and marketed their homework resources directly to the teens by encouraging them to comment on the value of the site and expressing their information needs. Some social networking tools support the development of information literacy skills. Chapter 9 discusses some of these tools.

More than MySpace is an informative book packed with information about innovative social networking. It is a must read for all educators and librarians interested in social networking and the use of social networking tools to enhance learning in a safe environment. The book concludes with Dave Moyer's evaluation of 20 top social networking sites, suggestions for further reading and a slim index.