University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Academic Librarian and Techno-Communication: Facilitating Social Networking with Generation Y Students

Switzer, Anne

Content Files
Switzer.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/8842

Description

Title
The Academic Librarian and Techno-Communication: Facilitating Social Networking with Generation Y Students
Author(s)
Switzer, Anne
Issue Date
2008-08
Keyword(s)
  • Social Science Libraries
  • internet In Higher Education
  • web 2.0-applications
  • social Networking
  • cyber-communication
Date of Ingest
2008-08-07T00:16:39Z
Abstract
This paper will address the ways in which academic librarians can work to bridge the communication gap with Generation Y students using social networking and techno-communication. Utilizing cyber-communication opens many doors previously shut to educators. Academic librarians, specifically, have much to gain by embracing the trend toward online communication and social networking. Facebook, and other social networking sites like Friendster and MySpace, have helped to dissolve barriers between librarians and students. An online profile can allow, even moderately techno-savvy librarians, a new brand of accessibility to the university community. Academic librarians can gain acceptance and direct access to students, and anyone else in the university network with a Facebook account. Cyber-connected librarians are also able to directly advertise—and even personally invite—online university members to events, inform network users of new library collections, new online databases, upcoming library workshops, and any number of other outreach activities. In addition, a librarian’s online profile page can include links to sites designed to help students with citing sources for a paper, RSS feeds to library and university news and events, current national and world news items, book reviews, and personal and reference desk contact information. Other forms of technological communication, such as IM (instant messaging or chatting) can also be a useful tool for the academic librarian.
Type of Resource
text
Genre of Resource
Conference Paper / Presentation
Language
eng
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/8842
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
  • International Federation of Library Associations
  • University of Toronto, Library
  • University of Toronto, Faculty of Information
  • University of Illinois, Library
  • Title VI National Resource Center Grant (P015A060066)

Owning Collections

Disappearing disciplinary borders in the social science library - global studies or sea change? PRIMARY