Social networking for professional use

[Cynthia Peterson]

As someone new to social networking (but not new to teacher-librarianship), I'm wondering what online social networking services you find beneficial for you as a teacher librarian -- other than this excellent resource, of course. I already belong to LM_Net. Your advice would be much appreciated.

[Lesley Edwards]

Welcome to the TLNing! I have recently joined Twitter and find it to be a wealth of ideas and connections. I love my RSS feeds for library related blogs and connecting through commenting.

[Cynthia Peterson]

I am using RSS feeds but have not yet tried Twitter. Thanks!

[Jo-Anne Gibson]

Hi Cynthia,
You might want to check out my latest post on social networking "You Tell Two Friends and I'll Tell Two Friends and So On and So On" to give you some ideas about how to use social networks in schools and libraries: http://jagibson19.wordpress.com/

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Don't forget to take my social networking poll!

Jo-Anne

[Cynthia Peterson]

Thanks -- I will check this out and get back to you.

[Tiff Emerick]

I use goodreads.com to keep track of everything I am reading...and have found and networked with other librarians on there as well! :)

[Cynthia Peterson]

Thanks so much for all these suggestions, Caroline.

[Cynthia Peterson]

Thanks again!

[Buffy Hamilton]

Twitter and Facebook! I also rely on blogs and del.icio.us. :-) I am buffyjhamilton on Twitter if you want to Tweet!

[Lisa Nocita]

Can someone please give me some examples of how Twitter is wealth of ideas and connections? It's one of those things that I think make me sound like I am up to date and with it but it is a sham on my part! LOL! I am so intrigued by the idea of it but I just don't quite get it. I hate to be a dolt, but I just can't see beyond the nose on my face. How do you make connections? Where is the professional application? Any help would be much appreciated!!

[Lesley Edwards]

I'm fairly new to Twitter myself but have found it invaluable. I have found new blogs to follow as people often Tweet when they have posted something new with a link to their blog. Some post about great new online resources they have found. Some tweet about projects they are doing which might inspire me to think of doing something similar. I have asked questions on Twitter when I need to find some answers/resources, or find out how to do something. For instance I learned how to create a player using YouTube and imbed it in my wiki. Now when I see a video I want to add it does so automatically (see http://wic.wikispaces.com/) for the player.
Because of Twitter I located a great video to show at a district tech meeting AND the creator is going to Skype in and video conference with us so we can ask her questions.

[Lisa Nocita]

How do you know who to follow? Do you just go the main page and read each post? Or are you able to select preferences? Thanks so much for taking the time to post!

[Lesley Edwards]

I never go to the main page - too overwhelming. I found someone I new on twitter and looked at who they were following then added some I liked. I also look on people's blogs and see if they have posted a 'follow me on Twitter' link. If you'd like to see who I follow go to http://twitter.com/bookminder
I just noticed that this ning has started a Twittering Librarians discussion. That might be a good place to pick up people to follow. Let me know if you have any further questions.