The Scott Memorial Library has created two social networking library profiles; one on MySpace and the other on Facebook.
Jeffersonians who do not have accounts in either MySpace or Facebook can create accounts for free. These two social networking pages allow Jeffersonians to meet other friends and colleagues, exchange research ideas, learn about upcoming workshops, keep in touch with the Scott Memorial Library and be part of an online community.
Currently, over 40 Jeffersonians from GCS, Nursing, OT and PT have joined the SML Facebook community. They receive messages from librarians about news and upcoming events, such as when librarians recently went on the road to spent some time visiting campus dorms to help answer questions.
Social Computing—Thoughts on Facebook and MySpace
Facebook and MySpace are cool social computing services. One can create an online identity and find new relationships. With millions of users using these new social computing sites, it behooves users to think about a few important points in using these new online technologies.
Your Identity
Before posting something about yourself online, think about your identity and how it will live on the internet. New and exciting technology does not always translate into responsible behavior that is legal and appropriate. As a member of Thomas Jefferson University, you not only represent yourself, but your institution. Think about posting those pictures of partying or posting any type of picture or comment that you would regret if discovered by a potential employer. When posting dubious comments or photographs, you are one Google search away from losing great career possibilities. Remember that removing content from the Internet can involve taxing efforts and there is no guarantee of it being successful. In essence, your identity online is your brand. You can create a positive or negative persona of yourself. Keep this in mind the next time you decide to post a sketchy picture or objectionable comment online. Tone and personalities are very hard to convey online.
Electronic Remnants: Caching
Even if you post a comment on Facebook for a short amount of time and then remove it, the comment remains accessible to the rest of the world and the Internet. Multiple search engines can pick up your comments, not just Google. How much effort would you be willing to go to remove cached information from several search engines?
Monitoring
Thomas Jefferson does not monitor postings on these sites. TJU, like other academic institutions, recognizes that freedom of expression and speech are vital for a thriving research university. This freedom should be cherished and not abused. Employers and all people make judgments, which should factor greatly into how you participate in these social computing sites.
Consider Others
Words such as libel, defamation, privacy and personal feelings should all be considered when posting comments or pictures. Our recommendation: follow the golden rule, don't say anything or post an image of anything about someone else that you would not want said or displayed about yourself.
SML MySpace Profile
SML Facebook Profile
The library would like to hear from you. What sort of information would you find helpful in our social networking profiles? Feel free to post comments to the Wall in Facebook or e-mail Dan.Kipnis@jefferson.edu or Gary.Kaplan@jefferson.edu with your ideas or comments.
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