Facebook

Facebook is a social networking tool that appeals to students so I can see an effective use for it in marketing libraries and their services to this group of users in particular. I like the different elements that can be used to create Fan pages: a section for library information (hours, location, collections); the Wall allowing posting for quick messages of interest and announcements eg new accessions lists; boxes providing links to such tools as catalogues, delicious bookmarks, blogs, search boxes etc; and the facility to to add multimedia such as video tours of the library and photos.

Information on Fan pages is accessible to non-members through the Internet which is useful to those not wanting to join as a fan. The ability to keep track of the number of visitors is also important as it will help to inform whether content is appropriate and useful. I was impressed by the Facebook sites amongst the libraies in Oxford. The information appears so much more current than that posted on websites.