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HCC: Hall of Exhibits

MLA Members' Social Software Use and Beliefs

Melissa L. Rethlefsen, Education Technology Librarian, Mayo Clinic Libraries, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN; Task Force on Social Networking Software , , , Medical Library Association, Chicago, IL

Objectives: To assess MLA members' use of Web 2.0 technologies and their belief in the importance of these technologies to the association. To assess whether demographic factors influenced use of these technologies or the belief in their importance to the association.
Methods: All MLA members were invited to participate in an initial survey of Web 2.0 technology use and beliefs in summer 2007. The survey utilized 5-point Likert scales to measure members' personal and professional use frequency of individual Web 2.0 tools, including blogs, wikis, social networking software, web office tools, RSS, media sharing, and instant messaging. A 5-point Likert scale was also used to gauge belief in importance of each technology to the association. The survey captured demographic data, including library type, library size, and years of library experience. Use frequency and beliefs were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Trends in demographic influences on Web 2.0 technology use and beliefs were demonstrated using a chi square test. All MLA members were invited to participate in a repeat survey in summer 2008; this survey was designed to evaluate use and belief changes following a year of association-sponsored educational opportunities designed to improve Web 2.0 knowledge and skills.

Results: Four hundred ninety-five MLA members completed the summer 2007 survey, including 150 respondents from hospital libraries and 243 from academic libraries. The largest percentage (n=193, 39%) of respondents were members who had worked in libraries 21 years or more. Respondents’ libraries’ staff sizes varied, ranging from 1 person (n=91, 19%) to more than 60 staff (n=46, 10%). Respondents felt that blogs, RSS feeds, and wikis were the most important social software tools for the association. Blogs and RSS feeds were the most commonly daily or weekly used tools for both personal and professional use. Library type, library size, and years of experience related to frequency of professional and personal social software tool use, as well as to the belief in importance of each tool to the association. One hundred thirty-two members completed the summer 2008 follow-up survey.
Conclusion: Data from both surveys were used to develop web materials and courses for MLA members.