Thing 6: Social Networks

And we're off!

I used to jump on the band wagon pretty early with social networking sites and rapidly lose interest in them. I have been a begrudging Facebook user pretty much since it was available in the UK, had several Twitter profiles, a dilapidated LinkedIn profile and a baron presence on Google+.

Facebook
I think even the most committed users of Facebook welcome a break from it once in a while and I've certainly had spells when I've given it a wide birth. Now it's one of my top break apps (you know...I've got 5 mins, I'll just see what's going on!) This could only ever be for personal use for me, there are too many things  out of my control to reign in for anything else. It's also one of those sites where I wouldn't want it for anything else, hey I've seen Social Network that wasn't it's intention... I can't fail to be impressed by organisations that make a go of Facebook, Brunel University for example keep students informed, post pictures and make their catalogue available. I always wonder what investigations go before this to find if students want this? Yes we need to be where students are but no-one wants to be the uninvited guest!

LinkedIn
After attending a New Professionals conference in 2011, I thought it was time to give my profile a makeover.  About 2 months ago I achieved it! It still needs work but I find some of the group discussions informative and interesting. Had I been using it properly this could have been useful as a reflective practice tool for the duration of my traineeship, I should have been updating it with new skills, roles and tasks completed but alas...

Twitter
This was a social network tool that I have dropped many a time, my current incarnation is probably my longest running. I'm still getting to grips with it but am finding immensely more useful, due in no small part to CPD23 I'm sure! I plan to make more use of it, certainly in the immediate future but beyond that to. It again is one of top break apps!

Google+
Oh G+! I still think this has the potential to be my favourite social networking tool. I like it's ability to group networks and could finally navigate that personal/professional divide. However I have about 2 connections and have not used it since it's launch, frustratingly I can't see a mass of people leaving FB as the go-to guy.

LISNPN/CILIP Communities
I joined LISNPN after the aforementioned conference in 2011 but only recently got back into it. I'm yet to contribute anything but I think this is a great place for NextGen librarians to discuss and share experiences. I have made absolutely no use yet of CILIP Communities I find it all a bit daunting and tough to navigate at present but I will try to make some headway this month.