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Social networking through your library automation system: what librarians and vendors have to say.

Article Excerpt
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A year ago, Follett's Destiny was the leader among school automation vendors in implementing the social networking, or Web 2.0, features, and some schools and media specialists were getting on board. A good deal has transpired in the ensuing year. So here's an update based on a user survey as well as information from interviews conducted with vendors at the recent American Library Association conference in July 2009.

IN my article, "Social Networking and Your Library OPAC!" (www.mmis chools.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?Ar ticleID=13955), which appeared in the September/ October 2008 issue of this magazine, I wrote about the emergence of social networking features being added to school library automation systems. At the time, Follett's Destiny was the leader among school automation vendors in implementing the social networking or Web 2.0 features, and some schools and media specialists were getting on board. A good deal has transpired in the ensuing year. So here's an update based on a user survey I did as well as information from interviews I conducted with vendors at the recent American Library Association (ALA) conference in July 2009.

What do "social networking" or Web 2.0 applications have to do with library automation programs, you ask? Well, plenty, actually!

A big rationale is that students are already using social networking applications outside of school, so why not offer them an environment that is both safe and friendly within our automation systems? Encouraging students to interact with the library staff and each other via the library catalog may be the thing that will bring students to the virtual library interface. There are a number of social networking possibilities such as book reviewing, ratings, recommending purchases, sharing of lists, and "you have to read" patron-to-patron communications. These features can enhance and support book clubs and discussion groups as well as other peer-to-peer interactions.

WHAT LIBRARIANS SAY ...

I recently surveyed school library media specialists, asking them about their use of the social networking features in their automation systems. Responses came from media specialists in Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Texas. Sixty-three percent of the respondents represented high schools, while 37% represented elementary, middle school, and other grade-level configurations.

According to the survey responses, a "top 10 books" display...