A Study of the Operating Status and User Acceptance of Library with Facebook

[[abstract]]With the rapid development of internet, there are many libraries use various Web 2.0 tools to expandd services, providing more convenient channel to communicate with readers. In recent years, many libraries build their Facebook Fan Page, publishing library bulletins, photos, videos and develop applications to help readers find information. Readers can also express their views, ask questions on Facebook. Purpose of this research is to investigate the operating status of library with Facebook and to know how users’ solving problems through library and their perspective and acceptance of library with Facebook. Then conclude some new ideas of academic library with social networking sites. Until November 2010, there are 33 academic library Facebook and 6 public library Facebook in Taiwan. The research used content analysis to analyse the functions each fan page provides and the reactions between libraries and users. Furthermore, researcher designed a questionnaire to understand readers’ experience of asking questions by reference service and their views of Facebook of National Taiwna Normal University Library. The questionnaire was sending by internet, and 348 were returned. The results of this study revealed that some libraries establish functions on Facebook but did not make the best use and management. Most messages posted by readers are chatting and advertising messages. The reactions of public library Facebook is more active than academic library. On the part of user survey, readers believe that they can solve problems by searching information via the internet and choose not to turn to the library. Although staff users seldom seek for help from the library, most readers have postitive attitude towards library with Facebook. If library provides new services, readers are willing to try, but Facebook is not very suitable as a environment to discuss academic research issues. This study suggests that the information content provided by library on Facebook should be richer, the interaction with readers should be more positive, and try to provide new functions and new ideas.