The Possibilities of Social Media to Promote International

Collaboration

Presented byHua Sun

Shandong University of Artsand

Mark D. PuterbaughEastern University

emtacl12 - emerging technologies in academic libraries2 October 2012

Trondheim, Norway

Macro-Collaborations

Large Institutional Projects Nordbok.org Tempus Programme, European Commission OCLC WorldCat University of Tennessee, USA – Makerere University,

Ghana

Micro-Collaborations

Individuals using Social Media Usenet, Listservs, etc. Facebook Librarians Library Related People Help a Librarian

Help A Librarianfounded by Heather Negley

Bring together librarians from different countries

Help each other answer questions. Share resources. Knowledge and Enhance. Cultural Understanding.

Free reference service helps librarians connect anonymously to another librarian a world away.

Library Related Peoplefounded by Aaron Tay

A Facebook group that welcomes all library related people.

Over 1,000 members from all over the globe.

Information Sociologyfounded by Dr. Myungdae Cho

Introduced students to the power of social media.

Provided an international group of mentors.

Feed back 24/7.

Chinese History and Culture LibGuideA Micro Collaboration

Hua Sun and Mark Puterbaugh

First international collaboration for Warner Memorial Library.

Share expertise.

Open communication.

A collaboration between 2 individuals founded on social media.

Physical Distance

7000 miles apart.

12 to 13 hours apart.

Asynchronous communication.

Best Practice:Time differences can be difficult to overcome. Share the burden.

Technological Variations

Facebook

Google Docs

MSN Live

Skype

Email

Best Practice:Never rely on a single tool for communication.

Cultural Differences

Language

Campus cultures

Personal differences

Best Practice:Be flexible! Long distance collaboration requires both parties to understand that there are differences in worldview.

Shandong University of Arts Eastern University

Look for common ground!

Promise and Benefits of International Collaboration

Experience new technologies.

Sharing information.

Sharing cultural differences.

Opening channels between libraries and the parent institution.

Promoting the library and the professional staff.

Sustainability

Connections within the Institutions.

Is there more that can be done?

Keep the dialogue going.

Taking it to the next level.

Best Practice:Advertise! Let people know what you are doing.

Shandong University of Arts

Eastern University

Conclusion

” Small is Beautiful --

networking makes us stronger”

Seminar la Biblioteca Oraşului Helsinki.