CPD23 Thing 12

On Being a Social Butterfly, or Not

Social media is a great way for introverts to be social. We can interact on our own terms. We can lurk, listen, and perhaps participate. When we really don't want to deal with others we don't have to do so and don't have to feel bad about not attending some event.

Social media allows you to set your terms. Will I check in with FB/Twitter/LinkedIn, every day? Once a week? Will I post or just comment on others' posts? It is all up to you. You decide what works for you. If you want every place you go to appear as you check in on your chosen social media sites, that's your choice. If you'd rather everyone didn't know where you were at every minute of the day, then you don't do that. You have options and you have choices. You are very much in control.

Social media can help you feel a little less isolated. This can be true of professionally (as well as personally, of course). Having a frustrating time with something (perhaps a vendor)? -- Post it on your social media site and often you'll get comments of support. See an interesting article? -- Share it with others (there can never be too much information about RDA). Want to celebrate? Ask a question? You can do this through social media and your contacts.

The downside is that perhaps your group is not there the moment you want them to be so they may not respond. Or it may take them a while to respond. But usually someone makes some kind of response. Sometimes it can start an exchange with lots of different people involved, and you can really see the social in social media.

I have seen colleagues use social media in interesting ways. One colleague has posted on FB to collect ideas from the "hive mind" for names of new programs. It is great to see the non-library folks chime with suggestion too. Sometimes it is just to ask a question, even a reference one -- and if others are there they might post a response.

The drawback here is that although you can do things on your own terms and schedule, so can everyone else so if you need an immediate answer you may be out of luck but if you can collect answers over time you might get some great thoughts.