The tremendous popularity of social networking sites like Facebook presents libraries with unique opportunities for reaching students. What many organizations fail to recognize, however, is that Facebook is perceived by its users as a primarily social space, and that the presence of professors, librarians, or parents can be intrusive, unwelcome, or just plain "weird" for the very students they're trying to reach. The George Washington University's Gelman Library decided to take a step back and ask a critical question: what do our students want? How do our students really use Facebook, and what part can the library play in this social environment? This presentation will offer an overview of this study and its findings in light of contemporary thinking and practices among librarians.

1. “ OK, THIS IS JUST TOO WEIRD.” IDENTIFYING OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES IN FACEBOOK Elizabeth Edwards The George Washington University

6. GW AND FACEBOOK

7. OUR UNIVERSITY

8. OUR LIBRARY

9. OUR STUDENTS AND FACEBOOK

11. THE LIBRARY AND FACEBOOK

12. CREATING THIS STUDY

15. SURVEY QUESTIONS

16. SURVEY QUESTIONS

18. STUDENTS AND FACEBOOK

19. STUDENTS AND FACEBOOK

20. STUDENTS AND FACEBOOK

21. STUDENTS AND FACEBOOK

22. LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK

23. LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK How do you feel about university staff having Facebook profiles?

25. LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK

27. LIBRARIANS AND FACEBOOK

29. RECOMMENDATIONS

34. THANK YOU Elizabeth Edwards [email_address]