Delivery of Service in the age of Social Networks

With the advent of social networks, libraries are faced with how to deliver services to its patrons/customers who are using these new technologies. These new networks includes, but not limited to, Facebook; Twitter; MySpace, Crush; Text Messages; iPod, MP3, Blogs, cellphones; Wiki, blackberries, etc.

The question is how can libraries take advantage of these and be able to provide reference service, circulation of materials, ready-reference and so on?

With the digital divide, which makes it impossible for most low-income families to have access to the Internet not to talk to these tech gizmo, can the libraries really deliver? With the budget crunch hitting the libraries is this the way to go for the future? Are these helpful to the libraries or are they harmful to the libraries?

Methinks that libraries should be in the forefront of taking advantage of these social network. Already most of our professional associations are present there. Most of us are on it and have used them to either connect or reconnect with former classmate, ex-lovers, former co-workers, family and so on.

Libraries can dedicate a librarian or two to answers question generated from these social networks if/when the library chooses to invest in delivery of service to those networks. Libraries must be ready to invest some money in upgrading their technology, especially bandwidths in order to handle the huge flow of information over the networks.

Libraries can start with wiki and text messages and migrate from there. I know that there would the problem of security but that can be taken care of by the IT Department.

If libraries engage in these service deliveries,would that reduce the amount of traffic to the library itself? To some extent. YES! But to another it is a NO for people will still need to come in to actually check out the books, unless, of course, it is an eBook or eJournal.

What say you?