beyond the buzz: planning library facebook initiatives grounded in user needs

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Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs David Bietila Elizabeth Edwards The George Washington University

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In 2007, the George Washington University's Gelman Library decided to take a step back from the buzz surrounding Facebook in order to ask a very important question: how do our students really use Facebook? Is there a place for the library in this social environment? This presentation will discuss the evolution of library Facebook initiatives in response to the results of this study, and will provide a framework for your own social networking campaign.

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Page 1: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Beyond the Buzz:Planning Library Facebook Initiatives

Grounded in User Needs

David BietilaElizabeth EdwardsThe George Washington University

Page 2: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Facebook What is it? Who uses it?

Page 3: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Facebook & Libraries

Growing library interest in Facebook Friending students Announcing events through Facebook

messages Publicizing new resources

Page 4: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Our Library & Facebook

Page 5: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Our University

Page 6: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Our Library

Page 7: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Creating this Study

Page 8: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

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?

Page 9: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Methodology

Ethnographic approachThree phases: Review of profiles and observation of

student activity on Facebook Survey of GW students Semi-structured interviews with

Facebook users

Page 10: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

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?

Page 11: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Findings

Page 12: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Findings: Why do students use Facebook?

5

10

42

59

9

22

43

29

22

52

13

7

67

20

5

9

To facilitate academicgoals and coordinate

study with friends

To keep informed of on-campus events

To maintain socialrelationships with friends

on campus

To maintain long-distance socialrelationships

1 (most important) 2 3 4 (least important)

Page 13: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Findings: Students use Facebook to…

Page 14: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Findings: Use and Affects

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

How frequently do students use Facebook for academic purposes?

How do they feel Facebook use affects their academic performance?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Negatively

Positively

Page 15: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Findings: Perceptions of Staff

How do you feel about university staff having Facebook profiles?

I don’t know

I’m uncomfortablewith it

I’m comfortablewith it

I like it

Page 16: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Findings: Getting Help

If you needed help with your research or had a question about the library, would you feel comfortable communicating through

Facebook with a staff member about it?

63

2418

39

47

19

Yes No Not Sure

Librarians

Faculty

Page 17: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Recommendations

Page 18: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Recommendations

When developing a virtual presence, consider students’ actual perceptions of the library.

Page 19: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Recommendations

Also consider how students view and interact with librarians in the real world.

Page 20: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Recommendations

Provide resources, but don’t be surprised if students don’t use them.

Page 21: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Recommendations

Recognize that Facebook may play a role in librarians’ lives too.

Page 22: Beyond the Buzz: Planning Library Facebook Initiatives Grounded in User Needs

Thank you!

David [email protected] [email protected]