The Art of Social Networking

A Sleuth of Bears - bears photo by born in 1945(Flickr)

The addition of social networks to the choices available to our clients opens up a number of options that would enhance the services we provide. For example, it would make it possible for our clients to support and help each other in an informal way - by sharing there experiences such as family history searches. It would provide both encouragement and links to useful resources within the library for clients who are undertaking similar searches.

It would also allow the library to gather information, insights and feedback about our services and collections. Some clients may feel that client interviews and feedback forms are too formal to participate in but a less formal site like a social network connected to the library website may garner responses from a wider range of clients from various age groups. Social networking could also provide opportunities to disseminate information about upcoming events and exhibitions and create avenues for attracting donations and volunteers to the library.