Social Networks

As part of notion of 'bringing the library to the user,' Libraries are creating a presence on social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. Social netoworks are particularly used to reach the typically undersevered teen demographic in public libraries (Lawson, S., 2006, p.19). In the case of the Denver Public Library's MySpace page, users can become 'friends' of the library and participate by leaving comments and posting video and photos. There are links to teen recommended media, a portal into the OPAC that is searchable by keword, author and title, and link to AskColorado.org, 24 hour (that's right) library chat service that provides homework assistance to teens and as well as general library reference services.

Maness envisions Library 2.0 itself as a social network much in the same way that the library has always been a public space and a location for social mobilization. According to Maness users could log into a library network and share themsleves and their interests in a fashion similar to existing social networks (Maness, J., 2006).