Social Networks

I'm a big fan of social networking which to me is just an online way of connecting with people. I find it particularly usefull in maintaining distant connections i.e. friends working overseas. I can chat, upload photos and keep in regular contact without the expense of either travelling or phoning them - and time issues/zones are not a problem!
My favourite social networking tool is without question - Twitter. The serendipity of information, academic, social, newsworthy, and the immediacy of the information is remarkable. In just 140 characters I can afford the time to tweet and keep up to date with other's tweets and I enjoy the community of those I have selectively chosen to follow. In a time-poor world I think this is really valuable.
I love the way libraries are starting to embrace Twitter and keep their followers informed of events and activities. It also helps to present the library as a more personable face, more than just a building, it gives a voice to the environment that reaches beyond the walls. This is particularly important when libraries such as SLQ have clients that are distant.