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Current opinion pieces & letters in smaller newspapers

The practice of using a social network to establish and enhance relationships based on some common ground-shared interests, related skills, or a common geographic location-is as old as human societies, but social networking has flourished due to the ease of connecting on the Web. This OCLC membership report explores this web of social participation and cooperation on the Internet and how it may impact the library's role, including: The use of social networking, social media, commercial and library services on the WebHow and what users and librarians share on the Web and their attitudes toward related privacy issuesOpinions on privacy onlineLibraries' current and future roles in social networking The report is based on a survey (by Harris Interactive on behalf of OCLC) of the general public from six countries-Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States-and of library directors from the U.S. The research provides insights into the values and social-networking habits of library users. Social networking was also discussed at the OCLC Symposium "Who's Watching YOUR Space?" at ALA Midwinter 2007, while property law and privacy rights were discussed at the OCLC Symposium: "Is the Library Open?" at ALA Annual 2007.

This will also be available in print on Monday, October 29, 2007.

Syndicated columnists.