Friending Libraries: The Nodes in People's Social Networks

CIL 2009 conference keynote by Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Internet and American Life Project

Cloud = content that does not live on your computer; rather, it lives on servers elsewhere (Hotmail, Flickr, etc)

2008 = 75% of adults use the internet; 53% use cloud

Ecosystem changes
-Volume, variety and velocity of information increases
-Times and places to experience media enlarge (watching movies on the bus with video ipod)
-People's vigilance for information expands (become an expert quickly)
-People's vigilance for information contracts (need to set up filters)
-Immersive qualities of media are more compelling
-Relevance of information improves (get The Daily Me with Google filters, etc.)
-Number of voices explodes and become more findable
-Voting and ventilating are enabled
-Social networks are more vivid

Once institutions/organizations/libraries create a web presence(s)—not simply creating a web page---they can be nodes on social networks. This is the way real people, really work; libraries can become sense-makers on social networks.

The Pew Internet’s new report The Mobile Difference examined assets, actions and attitudes with regard to technology.

The 9 user types and how libraries can help each of them

Digital Collaborator 8%
(Early adopters and influencers)
Be a place they can jack into the grid
Be a place to collaborate and share
Get their coaching and feedback on library collections and services

Ambivalent Networkers 7%
(They feel obligated to participate because that is the expectation of their networks)
Be a sanctuary where they can be offline
Offer gaming haven
Provide conversation about online etiquette
Help them navigate information overload

Media Movers 7%
(community-oriented; not into blogging, rather video/photo share)
Help find outlets to share content
Teach to curate and save content

Roving Nodes 9%
(could not give up their cell phone; too busy to create content; group tends to skew female; think: soccer moms)
Help them use tech to be more efficient
Teach them to use tech to manage lists
Offer tips and strategies to avoid overload

Mobile Newbies 8%
(new cell phone users; less interested in the internet)
Offer How-to
Coach and mentor
Offer tech access and support
Offer pathways to the wonders of the web; sites with politics, news and health are a revelation

[Types below are stationary media users; mobility is not an issue]

Desktop Vets 13%
(internet-veterans; think: middle-aged office workers)
Offer reliable internet access
Offer self-check machines since this group is largely self-sufficient
Offer some content creation classes

Drifting Surfers 14%
Don’t force technology on them
This group appreciates your traditional services
Offer some tech support classes on gadgetry

Information Encumbered 10%
(feel burdened by technology)
Don’t force technology on them
Help them navigate
Offer sanctuary

Tech Indifferent 10%
See no benefit in technology
Offer Tech Basic 101 classes

Remaining respondents were classified as Off the Network 14%
(they see no lifestyle improvements through technology)
Continue offering traditional services
Offer community activities

Five pathways for libraries
Pathway to problem-solving information (library as aggregator)
Pathway to personal enrichment
Pathway to entertainment
Pathway to new kinds of social networks (…built around people, institutions and media)
Pathway to the wisdom of crowds (…so you can fill your library’s own future here)