Facebook Libraries An Ethnographic Evaluation Elizabeth Edwards The
Facebook & Libraries: An Ethnographic Evaluation Elizabeth Edwards The George Washington University
Facebook o What is it? o Who uses it?
Facebook: What is It? o A social networking site o A community of more than 90 million active users o A development platform o “A social utility that connects you with the people around you. ”
Facebook: Who Uses It? o As of 2006, 55% of all teens who use social networking sites have used Facebook or Myspace, and 48% visit daily or more often. o “The fastest growing demographic is those 25 years and older. ”
GW and Facebook
Our University
Our Library
Our Students and Facebook
The Library and Facebook Your Librarian Is Your Friend
The Library and Facebook
Creating this Study
Research Questions o What role does technology play in our students' study habits? o What role does Facebook play in the lives of GW students? o How can the library use Facebook to connect with GW students?
Methodology Three phases: n Review of profiles and observation of student activity on Facebook n Survey of GW students n Semi-structured interviews with Facebook users
Survey Questions
Survey Questions
Interview Questions o How does Facebook as a recreational practice impact your study habits and academic life? o 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? o What sort of information would you expect/want to find on a librarian’s profile page (social or practical)?
Students and Facebook
Students and Facebook
Students and Facebook
Students and Facebook
Librarians and Facebook
Librarians and Facebook
Librarians and Facebook “Weird. ”
Librarians and Facebook
Librarians and Facebook o “Oh, well I would use that. ”
Librarians and Facebook
Librarians and Facebook “Just please don't start Poking us kids. ”
Reflections
On This Study…
On Facebook…
Thank you Elizabeth Edwards edwards@gelman. gwu. edu
- Slides: 31