The Academic Librarian and Techno-Communication: Facilitating Social Networking with Generation Y Students

Switzer, Anne

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/8842 Copy

Description

Title

The Academic Librarian and Techno-Communication: Facilitating Social Networking with Generation Y Students

Author(s)

Switzer, Anne

Issue Date

2008-08

Keyword(s)

• Social Science Libraries
• internet In Higher Education
• web 2.0-applications
• social Networking
• cyber-communication

Abstract

This paper will address the ways in which academic librarians can work to bridge the communication gap with Generation Y students using social networking and techno-communication. Utilizing cyber-communication opens many doors previously shut to educators. Academic librarians, specifically, have much to gain by embracing the trend toward online communication and social networking. Facebook, and other social networking sites like Friendster and MySpace, have helped to dissolve barriers between librarians and students. An online profile can allow, even moderately techno-savvy librarians, a new brand of accessibility to the university community. Academic librarians can gain acceptance and direct access to students, and anyone else in the university network with a Facebook account. Cyber-connected librarians are also able to directly advertise—and even personally invite—online university members to events, inform network users of new library collections, new online databases, upcoming library workshops, and any number of other outreach activities. In addition, a librarian’s online profile page can include links to sites designed to help students with citing sources for a paper, RSS feeds to library and university news and events, current national and world news items, book reviews, and personal and reference desk contact information. Other forms of technological communication, such as IM (instant messaging or chatting) can also be a useful tool for the academic librarian.

Type of Resource

text

Language

eng

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/8842

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

• International Federation of Library Associations
• University of Toronto, Library
• University of Toronto, Faculty of Information
• University of Illinois, Library
• Title VI National Resource Center Grant (P015A060066)

Owning Collections