Social networking in the broader context for me means the ability to interact with people who share similar interests, be that a hobby, sport or employment-based commonality.  In the context of life in the early 21st century the meaning leans toward the finding of like minded peers within a digital space, through an online application or a website.

source: flickr.com

Currently I use a small number of different social networking platforms on a variety of devices.  Primarily I use these online tools as a means to communicate with friends and family both locally and overseas.  I find this as an easier method of communication, as I can keep the messages as short or as long as I need without the formality of a timed phone call or taking the time to write an email. 

With a few short words, a GIF or an emoji I can communicate with people on how I am feeling or what is going on in my life.

The multi-platform availability of social networking sites, like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, allows for quick connection and ease of use for anyone.

Facebook as my main social network for the discussed reasons, also allows me to follow student pages at my university to find specific pain points the students have with the library I work in, or to point them to information that may assist with their studies.

For work or employment based communication I use LinkedIn. The acquisition of Lynda.com by LinkedIn has proven advantageous, as I had previously used this platform for workplace training for rapidly gaining new skills through the online courses provided. Additionally, I have a twitter account, but I find it more comfortable to follow other people’s tweets than actually engaging at this point in time.

I hope to find out, through this subject, the different aspects of how people use social networking in the workplace and as a tool for communicating with clients and peers within the information industry.