Facebook is one of several social networking technologies. Similar to MySpace, it allows you to communicate and share information with friends, however, Facebook is made up of lots of separate networks which are built up around a base - your school, university, workplace or region. The tour on the Facebook website allows you to see how it all looks - you set up your profile and you can post photos, invite friends and check out what notes and photos they've posted.

Some libraries have created profiles on Facebook and there seems to be mixed reaction to libraries using it. It's essentially a social networking tool and used primarily to make and keep in touch with friends. The dilemma seems to be how can it be used by libraries. We could use it as a way of promoting ourselves but a couple of libraries have encountered problems with having profiles on Facebook (see the blog post on the University of Kentucky library). Is our goal to make and collect friends or to provide a service, or can we do both?

There are several library blogs that discuss these issues and a small selection is listed below:

Are we welcome at the party - ACRLog Please tell me why MySpace is bad for libraries - highlights some questions of ethics and professionalism. Facebook at Bennington's Crossett Library - some experiences of libraries and librarians using Facebook and how they're using it. Library's Facebook Profile Shutdown - University of Kentucky experience last year.