Lee Rainie discussed research findings about how Americans use social networking in the San Francisco Public Library on May 6, 2011. Among other things he discussed how libraries facilitate the use of social media service for their patrons. I found him to be a proponent of libraries and librarians; innately understanding how librarians endeavor to provide the public with learning opportunities and information and how that in itself is social networking.
Social networking. A term I’d not really thought too much about until lately as Facebook, Twitter, blogs and the like became such a prominent component in society and how people communicate with each other. I love Raine’s term “social posse” as he refers to people who “grab a cause or interest and pursue it.” With these social networking tools we are given that opportunity like no other time. The ability to gather a population to support or denounce a cause in days, for example the Egyptian coup, is mind boggling. So how can we use this powerful tool for the sake of libraries? Rainie sees librarians as both content creators and aggregators, having the ability to not only create informative content but also having the ability to share it with others in a resourceful manner.
He sees altruism in offering computers to everyone from teens to seniors and librarians being at the center of providing the social networking these groups need in the mode they need it. Refreshing to hear of someone who recognizes the value of the librarian. I think I'll keep an ear out for more of this guy!!!
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