The Impact of Social Media to Library Services in Digital Environment

The developments in Web technology are creating more friendly, social, and fun environments for retrieving and sharing information and one of such is social media networking websites. However, it has been observed that despite the promise of social networking sites, limited libraries are adopting them for rendering services to their patrons and this consequently results in limited patronage and response from the users. To address this challenge of limited usage of social media by libraries and to engage more users in libraries' Social Networking Sites (SNSs), this chapter attempts to create awareness on the usefulness of SNSs to libraries. The discussion in the chapter focuses on the meaning of social media and SNSs, their impact on library services particularly in the digital environment, the features and types of SNSs available, etc.

Awareness and Use of Social Media

ABSTRACT In this chapter, Social Media Networks (SMNs), a subset of ICTs, are defined as online tools and utilities that allow communication of information online and participation and collaboration. Additionally, social media tools are websites that interact with the users, while giving them information. It is this two-way nature of SMNs that is central to this argument, and the role they played in the Egyptian uprisings. This chapter further defines the four most widely and effectively used SMNs: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blogging. It is observed that only 81.75% of the respondents have their own blog, 73.64% of the respondents read blogs, while 74.32% of respondents add posts to blogs. The study shows the respondents' extent of level of use of specific online social media by gender.

Usage of Facebook by Library and Information Science Female Undergraduate Students in Selected Nigerian Universities

The chapter examines Facebook usage among female undergraduate students of library and information science. Through a survey approach, the study drew on 154 female undergraduate Library and Information Science students from four universities. Questionnaire was used to gather data. Four research questions were developed and answered. The results revealed that the majority of the respondents (female undergraduates) use Facebook on a daily basis. Female undergraduates use Facebook to socialize, connect, and chat with friends, making it the highest purpose of using Facebook. While majority of female students use Facebook on a daily basis, the negative aspects of it were also revealed, including consumption of ones' precious time; the time they should use for other productive academic work is being channeled to Facebook, thereby making Facebook time consuming. Finally, erratic power supply was identified as the major problem of using Facebook by female LIS undergraduate students.

Application of Web 2.0 Tools in Libraries in Africa

The emergence of Web 2.0, the read/write social web, has prompted a momentous change in the way library users seek information, communicate, and collaborate. This trend is affecting the usability and relevance of libraries as the epicentres of information and knowledge. It is essential, therefore, that libraries adopt this technology to fit their services and products as closely as possible to the emerging lifestyles of the users. The application of Web 2.0 tools to conceptualise and deliver library services in developed countries is widely documented. In Africa, however, literature on this subject remains scanty. The authors conducted a reality check of the current status of the application of Web 2.0 tools in libraries, assessed the current impact of Web 2.0 on library services, identified the challenges African libraries face while adopting Web 2.0, and proposed ways to use Web 2.0 tools effectively in libraries in Africa.

Strategic Planning for Social Media in Libraries

Like in any endeavor, adoption and use of social media requires planning. However, this is not the case in Zimbabwe. To assess the situation, a study was conducted among different type of libraries in the country. Purposive sampling technique was adopted. The objectives were to find out the libraries which had social media strategic plans, and, among those which had none, to establish the extent to which social media use policies and principles corresponded to the basic strategic plan model. Results indicated that adopted tools include Facebook, Wikis, YouTube, Blogs, Twitter, Skype, Flicr, Ning, and LinkedIn. Reasons for adoption included being trendy as well as to enhance the library's efficiency, and goals included to continuously avail information in a variety of formats to clients within a short space of time and to effectively market library services. However, no library had a written social media strategic plan. The principles and policies for using social media covered strategies for implementation, surveillance, and monitoring of platforms for accountability.

Use of Social Media in Marketing Library and Information Services in Nigeria Libraries

This chapter aims to examine the use of social media in marketing library and information services in Nigeria libraries. The growing use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube by users in the 21st century is providing new challenges for libraries and librarians in Nigeria to keep up to with the growing needs of their users. The main purpose of this chapter is to examine the use of social media in the marketing of various library services and products. This chapter also attempts to describe the role of social media in library services and the various opportunities of using social media tools in marketing library products and services. In addition, the challenges faced by libraries in Nigeria in the use of social media are highlighted and possible recommendations are made.

The Role of Social Media and Social Networking in Information Service Provision

Social networking is a Web-based service that allows individuals to construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and view and navigate their list of connections and those made by others within the system. No doubt, social media has great potential in taking library operations to the next level. It is in the light of this that this chapter examines the role of social media and social networking in information service provision in libraries. To achieve this objective, the chapter looks at social media as a tool in libraries, advantages of social media in libraries, social media and social networks, and practical examples on the use of social media and social network tools together with how libraries can forge ahead due to the use and application of social media and social networks to their daily operations. Conclusion and recommendations based on these highlights are provided.

The Potential and Utilization of Social Media in Library and Information Centres

The chapter discusses the significance of social media as an emerging tool in library and information management and/or service. As the trend in higher institutions of learning today gives academic libraries the mandate to develop, create, maintain, and promote institutional repositories and scholarship, the chapter perceives social media platforms as offering the opportunities to fulfill the mandate. The chapter attempts to highlight the potential of some of the social media platforms that can be utilized in the provision of library and information service and resources in today's information saturated world, examines the challenges inherent in the use of the platforms leading to ethical considerations in the use of social media, and some possible solutions. It throws up a challenge for the Libraries and Library Schools on whether or not the graduates and youth are being prepared to use information and navigate today's and tomorrow's increasingly complex information landscape. It concludes by offering some recommendations.

Social Networking and the Promotion of Library Services

This chapter discusses how libraries can use social networking for upgrading the quality of their services. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Wikis, Flickr, and Second Life are identified as the major sites that have the potential to enhance libraries' services. Through a review of recent literature, the use of these sites in libraries is discussed. The benefits of social networking services as well as the issues associated with its implementation in libraries are explored. This chapter also discusses what social networking and future movements really mean for libraries; a range of pathways are also provided for libraries wishing to implement the technology.

Enhancing the Competitive Advantage of Libraries through Social Media Marketing

The available evidence reveals that although librarians have made good progress in adapting library services and products to current realities, usage of libraries remains low. This situation has been attributed partly to the poor marketing of library services to actual and potential users. Therefore, the library services delivered using shoestring budgets are barely used, occasioning great “losses” to the libraries and their communities. Social media marketing offers a unique opportunity for libraries to increase their visibility and usage by taking services and products to the platforms where their actual and potential users already “hang out.” Many libraries in Africa are experimenting with diverse social media marketing tools in an ad hoc manner with mixed results. This chapter is a practical guide that libraries can use to enhance their competitive advantage through social media marketing. It offers step-by-step action plans and tips on social media marketing for African libraries.