Social Networks

My experience so far with social networks has been to successfully avoid them. However, as a class project I've been required to sign up for Facebook and Twitter, so I am expanding my very private world to include a little intrusion from selected friends. Facebook is somewhat interesting. I enjoy links that people share to interesting articles. I also enjoy knowing what friends thought about new movies and books they have read, as well as what is upcoming and exciting to them. I am thankful they have not posted what they had for lunch. Twitter means absolutely nothing to me. I don't know anyone who uses it very much, and I've always sort of associated it with star-struck Hollywood addicts. I would rather read a well thought-out article by a person who's opinion I am interested in rather than an off-the-cuff, spur of the moment tweet that may or may not be of any substance. As a library professional I can see the usefulness of Facebook and Twitter to announce what has just been uploaded to the catalogue and is available for reserve, upcoming programs, etc. I think this will become more of a common thing as my city's patrons become more and more electronically savvy. As for me, I will continue on Facebook and I am enjoying expanding my knowledge of computer-based tools in readiness for my upcoming new profession, but the glamour of social media still eludes me.