Research of a Medical Librarian

After Facebook, we were to join LinkedIn, the professional social networking site. We also were to make some connections. The first thing I discovered is that other employees that I know in my own company are already members. So I tried to connect with them. So far, I haven’t received a response. Since I’m not sure how they’re notified of the contact invitation, I don’t know how long it takes.

I can see the professional potential for LinkedIn in both the job market and the sales contacts market. I also see its potential for networking within your own field. But again, because of the type of library I have, I don’t think it’s going to benefit the work done in my department.

From what I see, the social networking sites expand the community groups such as the Rotary Club, church youth group, or Jaycees to a wider range. The face to face contact is lost, which is important. Yet the larger audience can be beneficial.

Yesterday The Krafty Librarian had a blog about the Digital Skills Divide that is important here. These types of online tools help widen the divide. People who don’t get linked in can easily fall behind even if they are now digitally savvy and can use the computer and Internet. While this probably won’t affect the professionals who use my library, it a factor to consider when I have the occasional opportunity to work with people in different arenas. Introducing them to tools like Facebook may seem like fun to them, but can also help them improve skills they can use in life.