[Web4lib] MySpace and Public Libraries

[Melinda Shelton]

Birmingham Public Library (Alabama) has had a MySpace profile since 
April 2006. We use it as a marketing tool to communicate with citizens 
of our community who use MySpace. We also use it as a way to send 
bulletins (emails) about events and happenings at the library and as a 
way for our patrons to access our OPAC. We have received only positive 
feedback.

Here is our MySpace link:
http://www.myspace.com/birminghampubliclibrary
 http://www.myspace.com/birminghampubliclibrary  www.myspace.com/birminghampubliclibrary 
Here is a blog entry from a patron about the library's MySpace  profile:
http://dresramblings.wordpress.com/2006/04/15/a-myspace-ramble-it%e2%80%99s-starting-to-affect-happenings-in-the-magic-city/

A list of community groups in Birmingham who have MySpace profiles:
http://dresramblings.wordpress.com/magic-citys-myspace-page/

Melinda Shelton
mshelton at bham.lib.al.us
 

Drew, Bill wrote:
> So, in other words, keep them bland and of no interest with no
> controversies? 
>
> Bill Drew
> drewwe at morrisville.edu
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
> [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Samantha Schmehl
> Hines
> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 1:59 PM
> To: margaret.e.hazel at ci.eugene.or.us; Web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: RE: [Web4lib] MySpace and Public Libraries
>
> Hi Margaret and others,
>
> I don't know if this has been discussed to death (I'm on the web4lib
> digest) but at Law for Librarians last April in Chicago we were
> encouraged to think of MySpace, blogs and the like as public fora and
> manage them in ways that we manage other public fora (have clear
> policies for what can and can't be posted reviewed by an attorney, in
> accordance with other policies like those for meeting rooms, public
> bulletin boards and displays, etc.)  I can try to drag out my material
> if you'd like but I don't think I have any firm case law, statutes
> etc.
>
> Samantha Hines
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>
>