Drexel University (Drexel University, CIST)

As online social networking sites increase in popularity, many libraries are establishing identities in these spaces, and looking for productive ways to leverage new connections with users. Teenagers are a target audience of particular interest to libraries, because of their strong affinity for online social networking. Before libraries can effectively provide new services in these environments, however, they need to better understand how teens already are using online social networks to find information. The Drexel University College of Information Science & Technology will investigate how teenagers use social Web technologies to find information, and identify key issues and preferences libraries should consider as they try to construct new reference and information services for teens online. This research will provide valuable data for use by school libraries and public libraries across the country.