So, online networking then. Firstly, just to say I have no problem at all with online networks. If you've read my previous post, you'll know that I've finally "got" Twitter and am perfectly happy to use it for networking. I can see the benefits, especially in the way these networks enable you to gain a lot of additional knowledge and information with others, and share the knowledge you have too.
My problem with this Thing, I guess, is that I feel like I have enough networks that I'm a part of right now! I can certainly see the potential of LinkedIn, but I just don't really feel like I have the time for it. Maybe when I've got to grips with Twitter (I'm still new to it, after all) I'll want to to explore some of the other options out there. But for now I think I wouldn't get much out of anything new I signed up to it, because I wouldn't feel like I had the time to use it properly.
Having said all that, I am a part of some online networks. Like many people, I signed up to Facebook some years ago. I tend to keep this mostly for my personal life, and have my friends on it. Some of the colleagues I'm friendlier with do end up becoming Facebook friends as well though. It's also a good way to keep in touch with people who you'd otherwise possibly not see again (I'm thinking of those folk who stayed in Aberdeen when I moved down to Bristol here), but don't want to lose contact with. I do tend to reserve Facebook for people I've met in real life though, and gotten to know that way.
Coming back to the library world, I'm also a member of LISNPN. I have to admit, I've used this a lot less than I could have. You could even use the word neglected. I haven't even added anything to my profile space, so that's my job for this evening..
I do recommend taking a look at LinkedIn. Out of all the social networks it's the one that seems both the most professional and requires the least amount of time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice. Out of the networks I'm not a part of, I have to admit that LinkedIn did seem like the most useful one to get involved in. I still think it may have to wait until I feel a bit less time poor though!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna, you have indeed expressed my opinions here. I think we should only get involved in what we can manage for now otherwise it would all be a useless effort. Thanks
ReplyDelete