This presentation discusses the preliminary findings of a study of social computing tool use in public and academic libraries in Illinois. This presentation was part of the program "Social computing tools for learning and knowledge sharing" for the World Library Information Congress at the IFLA 75th General Conference and Assembly in Milan, Italy 2009. The program was sponsored by the Knowledge management, Library and Research Services for Parliaments, and Information Technology Sections.

1. Adoption of social networking tools in libraries Dr. Frank CervoneVice Chancellor for Information ServicesPurdue University CalumetHammond, IN, US World Library and Information Congress 75th IFLA General Conference and Assembly Milan, Italy Tuesday 25 August 2009

2. A scale of involvement © 2008 Groundswell. Available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/25131367@N05/2955726053/

3. Use of social tools is increasing

4. Corporate sector is getting on board

5. Study details Sample Public and academic libraries in Illinois 147 out of 699 (21%) public libraries 78 out of 153 (51%) academic libraries in Illinois Analyzed library web site for Use of social interaction tools Levels of interaction provided by tools, if present

6. A very surprising finding

7. This percentage may be high

8. Social tools are not used much in public libraries

9. These statistics are helped by statewide initiatives

10. Some social tools are used more in in academic libraries

11. Some observations Online chat used almost twice as much in academia Blogs are used five times more in academia Academic libraries are three times more likely to Twitter However, there is little evidence of interaction between library and patron With one notable exception

13. Distribution of public libraries in Illinois All libraries Web libraries

14. A relationship begins to emerge… Libraries with notification services

15. Some preliminary observations Use of social tools in society is increasing rapidly Use of social tools in libraries is minimal (or nonexistant) in most cases Income and demographics appear to have a relationship to the adoption of social network tools

16. Further research Need to complete survey of all public and academic libraries in state Need to dig more deeply into presence in some contexts May not necessarily advertise various presences on the library’s web site Explore reasons why libraries have not adopted How do we increase usage?