[Web4lib] Library presence on social networking websites

[Dan Lester]

Sunday, January 27, 2008, 6:14:16 AM, you wrote:

> You know, I'm really sensitive to the idea that it can be heavyhanded and
> even creepy for adults to "hang out" in predominantly youth-oriented spaces.

And especially if they're perverts wanting to do nasty things to kids
(or the not so young).

> But it's also true that it's my Internet just like it's their Internet. Am I
> supposed to refrain from new technologies because I'm not 18? Some of these
> young'uns need to get a grip.

Agree.  They need to learn internet safety, and imagine that should be
taught in schools, just as we (and hopefully public schools) teach
"evaluation of internet resources".  It is fascinating that some are
totally conditioned, for example, that "wikipedia is the answer to
everything", but there are others who say that "wikipedia has nothing
good in it at all".  I ran into one of the latter this morning working
with a young lady who was seeking information on "fainting goats"
(myotonic goats).  Didn't find much in usual resources, so went to
wikipedia and she started to say I couldn't and shouldn't do that. I
reminded her that there was much good in there, and like anything it
wasn't perfect. But she agreed (since she's already somewhat
knowledgable on them) that the article seemed accurate, and that the
links and references we found there were indeed useful.

Just isn't a black and white world out there.

-- 
The road goes on forever and the party never ends. REK, Jr. 
Dan Lester, Boise, ID