Week 2 - Use of Social Networking

Social networking sites allow users to share information. This information can be in the form of news, photos, videos, random thoughts, research, contacts, etc. The information can be shared for either professional or personal reasons. The sites' users have control over the content that they enter and share, and there are many social networking sites for all kinds of informational purposes. The primary function of these networks is sharing; all kinds of information can be shared among users on these sites.

The main social networking sites that come to mind that I currently use Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads and Instagram. I also follow a variety of blogs.

My use of social networks supports the research that we read this week, in that my purpose is primarily social. I use Facebook to stay in contact with friends and family members who do not live nearby. We can share pictures, videos, and stories easily.  I would consider myself a passive user of Facebook, because I do not post often and mostly use the site to view photos posted by family members. Despite this, I still enjoy using the site and appreciate the fact that it allows me to stay in touch with friends who I may not be able to easily contact otherwise.

I use Pinterest to save pictures and links that I want to remember, or that I think my friends and family would like. I also like to view pictures that others have “pinned.” I have several friends that are currently in the process of planning weddings, and Pinterest seems to be the place where brides-to-be create online scrapbooks of their dream weddings. It's an interesting phenomenon.

Goodreads is wonderful, because it helps me keep track of the books that I have read, and also to see what books my friends have read and are currently reading. It also provides recommendations, and I have found several wonderful books through this service.

Instagram is fun, because I can take pictures of things that I see or do on a daily basis, and share these with my friends. It’s entertaining to see the little things that my friends are enjoying at any particular moment.

I read blogs for many reasons. Professional blogs help me to stay in touch with important news and changes in the field of librarianship. They can represent a variety of viewpoints on important issues, allowing me to examine an issue from all sides. The comments on the posts are often enlightening as well. Personal blogs provide me with new recipes, interior design ideas, fun DIY projects, and many different product recommendations, from books and movies to shampoo and laundry detergent.

I would estimate that I use Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads a couple of times a week, and Pinterest and blogs daily. Just like many others, I enjoy communicating with friends and family, and using these sites to maintain contact with those who are far away.

And here is a tag cloud from tagxedo.com for this post!