Privacy and Technology

Online social networking sites and privacy: Revisiting ethical considerations for a new generation of technology by Peter Fernandez. I actually referenced this article a lot in my literture review. In this article Fernandez says, "By creating a profile on these sites, libraries also risk further legitimizing them, and encouraging users to be passive regarding their own privacy. If libraries take a comprehensive view of privacy as a core value, encouraging their users to use products that do not have the same regard for privacy should give librarians pause. Furthermore, it raises the issue of the role that libraries should play in actively promoting awareness about the privacy issues inherent to these systems." This is a situation in which Libraries are seen as an authority within the information field and if we are seen using social media then it is assumed by our patrons and others among the public that the Library Institution thinks that it is safe. This once again makes the need of Information Literacy Instruction important. When implementing a new outreach program there are going to be difficulties but it is finding a professional way in which to navigate these difficulties that matter. This use of social media not only allows libraries outreach into the community but a way to create other programs that correlate with their use.