18 · Survey Results: Survey Questions and Responses
catalog search extensions, etc., and widgets implemented by libraries like MeeboMe, Firefox plugins, etc. Social software also
includes applications that integrate combinations of the above types of social software.
While a growing number of libraries have adopted social software as a way to further interact with library patrons and library
staff, many things are unclear about the use of social software in ARL member libraries. How many libraries have adopted
social software? What, why, and how are they using social software? How many staff are using such software? How are
activities organized and managed? What are the benefits and challenges to using social software in libraries? How are
libraries evaluating participation and usefulness? This survey is designed to answer these and other questions regarding the
use of social software in the ARL community. Much can be learned from sharing and examining current practices.
Note: In this section survey response data is presented. Responses were categorized by emergent themes. Response categories
were created when there were two or more examples of a given theme. Responses that could be categorized into multiple
categories, or those that would have fallen in categories with only one response were designated “Other.”
Background
1. Is your library using social software as described in the introduction? N=64
Yes 61 95%
No 3 5%
2. If your library is not currently using social software does your library plan to do so in the future?
N=3
Yes 1 33%
No 2 67%
If yes, please answer as many of the following questions as possible.
catalog search extensions, etc., and widgets implemented by libraries like MeeboMe, Firefox plugins, etc. Social software also
includes applications that integrate combinations of the above types of social software.
While a growing number of libraries have adopted social software as a way to further interact with library patrons and library
staff, many things are unclear about the use of social software in ARL member libraries. How many libraries have adopted
social software? What, why, and how are they using social software? How many staff are using such software? How are
activities organized and managed? What are the benefits and challenges to using social software in libraries? How are
libraries evaluating participation and usefulness? This survey is designed to answer these and other questions regarding the
use of social software in the ARL community. Much can be learned from sharing and examining current practices.
Note: In this section survey response data is presented. Responses were categorized by emergent themes. Response categories
were created when there were two or more examples of a given theme. Responses that could be categorized into multiple
categories, or those that would have fallen in categories with only one response were designated “Other.”
Background
1. Is your library using social software as described in the introduction? N=64
Yes 61 95%
No 3 5%
2. If your library is not currently using social software does your library plan to do so in the future?
N=3
Yes 1 33%
No 2 67%
If yes, please answer as many of the following questions as possible.
