Thing 20: Libraries and Social Networks

I already have both Facebook and MySpace accounts. I've had MySpace for a few years, and Facebook for probably less than a year and I generally prefer Facebook. It seems more adult, even though I still love the Facebook toys like Flair, Fluff Friends and Travel Brain. I really love the Visual Bookshelf application and I use it all the time. I belong to 22 groups, including Teen Services Librarians, GLBT Round Table of the American Library Association, Don't Mess With Me, I Worked in a Public Library and more.
Though neither of my accounts were set up for me to use professionally, Facebook is more so. My friends on it are mostly my real (non-net) friends, librarians and authors I wish were my personal friends. :)

My MySpace page covers a wider range of my interests. It is at myspace.com/hislittlelily . I have many author acquaintances, but also belly dancers and other friends, and most of them I haven't met personally. I have 199 "friends" there versus 34 on Facebook. I think that I will thin these down some. I like that you have more options in designing your page and I'm sorry that there are so many annoying adds. Since I made my Facebook page, and don't keep up with my MySpace page very well.
In my previous library life in Arizona, I created a Myspace for teens. I friended many authors, bands and magazines so the teens could browse them. We also posted our events. I put up my book reviews and I wanted our whole department to feel free to contribute, and I thought it would be fun if we posted pictures of the Youth staff as teens. We had a fair amount of tweens and teens friend us back (maybe 20?). When I left AZ it was still developing, but I think that it had potential. I think that the challenge is keeping the content fresh and interesting without spending all of your time on it.