Online Communities

Although I have attended WebJunction webinars in the past, it wasn’t until this class that I realized WebJunction is an online community. 

 

WebJunction is OCLC’s online community dedicated to the emerging technology and training needs of librarians and library staff. It features articles, handouts, online courses, webinars and forum discussions on current, relevant and practical issues. (OCLC.org/WebJunction)

 

Webjunction was created by OCLC in partnership with other organizations and with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The focus of this successful online community is “on library technologies, management, and services, along with public access in small and rural libraries.” Joining Webjunction is free—I just created my account!

 

The American Library Association also offers an online community called ALA Connect which is a “virtual, collaborative, workspace online” free for ALA members. Non-members can create an online account for free, but it will only allow them access to public materials. ALA Connect offers its users ways to find and connect with other members around professional interests, issues, advocacy, their jobs, the work of the Association, and more. (Connect.ALA.org)—I just also created my ALA Connect account! 

 

I wanted to share an excellent definition of online communities I found on the website SocialMediaToday.com, taken from the book Online Communities by Jenny Preece.

 

Online Communities - People, who interact socially as they strive to satisfy their own needs or perform special roles, such as leading or moderating. A shared purpose, such as an interest, need, information exchange, or service that provides a reason for the community. Policies, in the form of tacit assumptions, rituals, protocols, rules, and laws that guide people’s interactions. Computer systems, to support and mediate social interaction and facilitate a sense of togetherness.