MLA Web 2.0 Assignment # 3

How can social networking be used by MLA to connect members?
Social networks are a great tool to connect with other MLA members because it helps share information and ideas together. It also helps create friendships even if you have not seen each other face-to-face. It would be a great useful tool to reconnect with people who I get a chance to meet at the MLA conference since we are going to be from around the whole country, so it would be a great tool to be connected.

Should your library have a Facebook or MySpace page?
I currently work for NLM as an associate fellow, but once I get a job in an academic library I believe it would be a great idea to create a Facebook page, since many students nowadays have a Facebook account. It is a great way to connect with them and show them that libraries are becoming hip and modern and they can feel comfortable asking questions and know that the library is a good source of information. Facebook has a more professional look and feeling to it, while MySpace seems more casual.

Are there privacy concerns for individuals when using social networking sites.
Yes, because there have been many instances in which hackers are able to break into different accounts. So users need to be careful of what information they include in many of the networking sites.

What did you like or not like about your experience with Facebook or MySpace.
I have been using MySpace longer than Facebook. I like MySpace because it is easy to use and understand and it has a more casual look to it, while Facebook has a more professional look and a more complicated interface. But both of them are definitely good tools to use and I hope more librarians are open to new ways of marketing their libraries and their services and to keep connected with other librarians.