Twitter

This is so ironic!  I signed up for a Twitter account a couple of years ago, when I went to a Social Networking Workshop for work.  However, I really did not use Twitter after that workshop.  At work they really had not implemented any social media and there were still many barrier to use; namely computer security settings, and staff buy-in.  I think attending these types of workshops is a great way to learn what’s new and the possibilities for your library; however if you don’t have buy-in at work or the means to implement these new tools, it is hard to maintain a social media presence.  While I was initially excited about Twitter, in the end I did not use it.

This week I signed up for a new Twitter account and made my first “Tweet.”  I decided to follow a few of my favourite celebrities and shows, and have been receiving tweets about who they will be interviewing or who their special guest will be that evening.  This information is very convenient and useful.  For instance I decided to follow Jian Ghomeshi, and received a tweet that he was here this Friday.  I love Q with Jian Ghomeshi and was surprised to learn that I had an opportunity to connect right here in London.

I also decided to follow Library 2.0 ideas, which tweets interesting and informative ideas for implementing and utilizing Library 2.0 concepts.  However, the tweets are received every 1800 seconds; consequently filling up my Twitter or Tweets Timeline.  This might prove to be too much information for me.

I can appreciate this statement on Twitter , the “real magic of Twitter lies in absorbing real-time information that matters to you.”  (Twitter).  The article entitled Facebook vs. Twitter: Battle of the Social Network Stars by Curt Tagtmeier raises a great point, by stating Twitter is a conversation, while Facebook is more passive. (Tagtmeier 2010).  I think of Twitter as real-time conversations with the public, and friends and agree with Tagtmeier that Facebook is more passive and not instantaneous as “friends” have to be approved and networks have to be built.  Whereas with Twitter, once I signed up I was able to make my first tweet right away.

I understand how microblogging is important for providing real-time information, facilitated through conversations.  This is evident with the social unrest in the Middle East.  The blog posting, Al Jazeera Launches Twitter Dashboard to Track Uprisings in Egypt, Yemen, Libya & Bahrain, discusses this further.  I remember following the uprisings in the Middle East on the news and was truly amazed at how individuals were still managing to create content and disseminate information, during times of social distress when many traditional media sources were compromised.

With respect to utilizing Twitter in a library setting, it will depend upon how your patrons and community are also utilizing Twitter and other social media tools.  If they do not have a strong presence on Twitter then perhaps Twitter would not be worthwhile.  In order for Twitter to truly be successful, time and maintenance would have to be invested.  With tight Library Budgets, limited staff and perhaps expertise, the total cost should be evaluated.  In addition, a Library must have an understanding of what it is trying to accomplish and what role social media plays in accomplishing those goals; then you will be able to evaluate what tools work best for the library and your patrons.