Author Description

The practice of using a social network to establish and enhance relationships based on some common ground--shared interests, related skills, or a common geographic location--is as old as human societies, but social networking has flourished due to the ease of connecting on the Web. This OCLC membership report explores this web of social participation and cooperation on the Internet and how it may impact the library's role, including: (1) The use of social networking, social media, commercial and library services on the Web; (2) How and what users and librarians share on the Web and their attitudes toward related privacy issues; (3) Opinions on privacy online; and (4) Libraries' current and future roles in social networking. The report is based on a survey (by Harris Interactive on behalf of OCLC) of the general public from six countries--Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States--and of library directors from the U.S. The research provides insights into the values and social-networking habits of library users. Appended are: (1) College Students in Our Networked World; (2) Glossary; (3) People Consulted; (4) Readings and Other Sources; (5) About OCLC; and (6) Comparative Timeline.