What MLA Members Told Us About Social Networking
It is clear from the survey that new social networking technologies are important to MLA members, but only up to a point. While MLA members understand that these technologies may be important, they do not always see a personal or professional use in them (yet!). With the explosion of Web 2.0 technologies, the Social Networking Task Force (SNTF) understands this response, and acknowledges this perception. In truth, many social networking technologies may not yet have a practical purpose for professional activities. Technology for its own sake is not inherently useful, especially in professional lives that are already busy and full. However, the SNTF recognizes that these technologies have the potential to develop more enriched connections between MLA and its members.
The survey showed some evidence of a generation gap. This gap means that the introduction of new communication tools will initially reach only a percentage of MLA members. Advocates of new technologies should not get discouraged if immediate adoption does not occur. The initial period of adoption may need to include duplication of communication on multiple ‘channels’ to ensure that all members receive the message.
We must also keep in mind that adopting new technologies is not new to libraries. Certainly distribution lists, email, and other Web 1.0 technologies have integrated well into librarian’s personal and professional lives. How were these technologies integrated and can similar adoption techniques be used? After all, what did medical librarians even do before there was MEDLIB-L?
The survey shows that many members are overwhelmed with the technology options and not yet sure how the tools may really help them in their daily lives. Members are looking to MLA for information and guidance on new technologies. They want to know how these technologies are going to solve problems and make their life easier.
Below are some tidbits from the data the Task Force thought especially relevant.
- 495 people participated in the survey. The number of respondents is consistent with prior MLA surveys.
- Demographics
- Academic (49%) and Hospital (30%) librarians account for 79% of respondents
- Respondents have a very wide variety of number of years of experience (about 40% have over 20 years XP, 47% 4-20 years XP)
- 19% respondents work in a 1-person library, 40% work in libraries with 2-20 staff, & 41% work in libraries with 20 staff or more
- 73% respondents rated blogs very to somewhat important for sections, chapters, and SIGs of MLA. However, only 52% reported using blogs in their professional life when combining the same numbers. 40% reported very to somewhat important use of blogs in their personal life
- 66% respondents rated wikis very to somewhat important for sections, chapters, and SIGs of MLA. However, only 38% reported using wikis in their professional life when combining the same numbers. 21% reported very to somewhat important use of wikis in their personal life
- 57% respondents rated Media Sharing very to somewhat important for sections, chapters, and SIGs of MLA. However, only 18% reported using media sharing in their professional life when combining the same numbers. 26% reported very to somewhat important use of media sharing in their personal life
- 71% respondents rated RSS very to somewhat important for sections, chapters, and SIGs of MLA However, only 51% reported using RSS when combining the same numbers. 39% reported very to somewhat important use of RSS in their personal life
- 30% respondents rated Instant Messaging very to somewhat important for sections, chapters, and SIGs of MLA. 30% reported using IM in their professional life when combining the same numbers. 26% reported very to somewhat important use of IM in their personal life
- 63% respondents rated Web-based Office Tools very to somewhat important for sections, chapters, and SIGs of MLA. However, only 29% reported using them in their professional life when combining the same numbers. 18% reported very to somewhat important use of Web-based office tools in their personal life
- 27% respondents felt Neutral about the importance of Social Networking Service for sections, chapters and SIGs of MLA. 48% felt it was Very to Somewhat Important. However 20% of respondents used SNS in their professional lives when combining the same numbers. 25% reported very to somewhat important use of SNS in their personal life
- Commentary on social networking tools/services important to MLA (free-response)
- Many respondents mentioned Web 2.0 services such as Linkedin, Second Life, Facebook, Del.icio.us, and Skype as important for MLA members or MLA’s units. Many people also mentioned the need to continue to use more established social networking services like the telephone and email, listservs, and face to face interaction.
- The high number of similar responses may indicate that there is still A LOT of confusion over how these new SN tools are defined. For example: Social Bookmarking.
- It depends on what the group is doing. For example, web-based office tools are very important to collaborative editing and authoring projects but not to day-to-day activities”
- Collaborative Software and use in our professional life
- RSS (34%) and Blogs (32%) are the most used
- Media sharing (4%), wikis (8%) and social networking software (8%) are the least used
- Collaborative software and use in our personal life
- RSS (24%) and Blogs (25%) are the most used
- Instant messaging (53%) and web-based office tools (51%) are the least used
- 66% respondents found Social Networking Services of little or no importance in their personal life, while 25% respondents reported it very (12%)or somewhat (13%) important
- Accessing Social Networking Software
- YouTube (16%), Facebook (18%) and MySpace (20%) were blocked the most, while blogs (about 4%) and wikis (2%) were most accessible
- Some institutions do not actively block certain sites, however they may not condone or may even have policies prohibiting this type of activity. This could include blogs, wikis, or any social networking activity.
- At least one user is blocked from using the mla-hls wiki which is sponsored by the MLA Hospital Libraries Section.
- Flickr, streaming video, RSS, Second Life, YouTube, wordpress.com are commonly blocked sites.
- In some cases individuals have been successful in requesting that certain sites be unblocked by their IT department. In other cases, they have been unsuccessful.
- From survey questions: Is there anything else that you would like MLA to consider when it comes to Web 2.0 technologies and social networking
- Sustainability and Archiving
- Nice quote: “Make sure the interest in these tools is sustainable and not just a fad, because I do believe Web 2.0 tools can improve the MLA experience for members.”
- Access
- Training: on Web 2.0 technologies and as a new method to deliver training
- Training on Web 2.0 technologies needs to include real life examples of librarians using
- Integration with current practices
- Use of these technologies to provide meeting content (for those that can’t physically attend the meeting)
- Evaluation of tools
- Strong desire to match the need and the technology and not let the technology be the driving force
- Reminder there are other devices that use Web 2.0 technologies such as handheld devices
- Sustainability and Archiving
