Social Networking

Social networking is a really important thing for library media specialists and Web 2.0 tools provide a great way to do that. Tools like twitter and Teacher-Librarian allow librarians across the country and across the globe to collaborate and share ideas and information in ways that were not possible before. They also allow students to connect with one another in a way that is interesting and exciting for them. Nings could be created and used as virtual book clubs where students can share favorite books and discuss books that they are reading. Other tools, like Shelfari and LibraryThing can also be used in the media center. Placing a Shelfari or LibraryThing widget on the school library blog could be a great way to advertise new books to students and teachers, or books that relate to a certain theme or topic. There is so much potential for each of these tools and there are limitless ways that they can be used in the media center. It's really exciting!