Is your organisation restricting your access to social networking sites like this?

[Jane King]

On behalf of one of my colleagues who cannot access this site:

"We are undertaking some research into the use of Social Networking sites as an integral need for museums within local government. We have been put in a tricky position by the introduction of a superfilter on the IT network which bans access to basically all social networking sites. In an effort to put together a business case to present to our Executive Managerial Team I am looking for examples from other local government authorities on how they use social networking to promote their sites/museums, for professional development and for social and professional networking opportunities.

If you have any policies relating to social networking I would also be interested to have copies or to know how this is being rolled out in other LGAs.

I would also be interested to learn if other LGAs are experiencing similar difficulties in explaining the need for social networking access for their museum/library/collection? Perhaps our case is not so dissimilar to other? I would love to raise a discussion on this topic on nexus or the museum wiki but unfortunately....the computer says NO!!!"

[Lars Lundqvist]

I have heard of similar actions in Swedish institutions. What reasons are put forward to legitimate the shut down the use of social netowrking sites?

[Kajsa Hartig]

In Sweden - at one government authority, as far as I have heard, the official reason is security (arguments from the IT department). The unofficial reason from one institution is just concerns that the staff will do other things than work, at work. So the access to social media will change, though an institutional policy for these necessary channels/tools is ofcourse something to work for. Like Sebastian Chan said at a seminar here in Sweden yesterday, social media should be in every work description.

[Lars Lundqvist]

Picked this up here:http://www.weconverse.com/2009/10/08/kreativa-kunskapare-versus-ign... (in Swedish)

Translation: "The problem is that management often leaves these questions to the IT department and they will turn it into a security issue. Instead, management should handle this questions themselves and see what value it has for the organization

Sw: “Problemet är att ledningen ofta överlåter de här frågorna it-avdelningen tar hand om och då blir det säkerhetsproblem av det. I stället ska ledningen ta tag i det och se vilket värde det har för organisationen”.

I am happy to work for an organization that knows the difference between technology on one hand, and operation and values for the organization on the other. :-)

[Kajsa Hartig]

Great input Lars. I will just make my last comment clearer: There are undoubtedly security issues and risks, but they are minor, and they can and should be dealt with, just as any other risk. The benefits of staff using social media (i.e. internet!) I believe exceeds the costs of dealing with the risks.

[Lynda Kelly]

Thnx for the post. These are big issues. If museums (or indeed other organisations) block these kinds of applications it is akin to cutting off the phone line or email.

Here's some views on this:

David Milne (Queensland Museum) Back at Reality Ranch: a view

Employers Block Facebook at their peril article

We've discussed social media policies quite alot on Museum 3.0 so may be good to do a search as there's some great resources listed here.

[Jane King]

Thanks Linda,
I posted this discussion on several sites and have had a great range of responses. I will keep in touch with our member who has the problem and we'll report back as soon as they have a win on this - which I'm sure won't be far away.
See also: http://manexus.ning.com/forum/topics/is-your-organisation
David posted his response here. Your other article is also very helpful.
Thanks for the suggestion to do a search....doh!

[Conxa Rodà de Llanza]

In our Museum (Museu Picasso de Barcelona) we are not only implementing our Social Media presence, but we also encourage museum staff to be active on them (for professional use, of course, if during working hours).

Our museum is municipal, so it's governed by the City Council, and we have been active on Social Media since May this year. Surprisingly enough, I've known by a colleague from another municipal area, with presence on Flickr, Facebook and other SM, that they have not been allowed to open a blog (??!!). So, even in one same organisation, it's not yet really clear to everyone the huge and creative potential of Social Media.

Tip: start right away, don't ask for permission. That's not always possible, I'm aware of that. But time will only go in favor of a widespread use of SM everywhere, so the sooner insitutions and companies realize it and act consequently, the better for them and for their users.

No way to forbid use of e-mail or web-surfing nowadays, the same will happen with access to SM in a short time.

I recommend reading this post in Brian Solis blog and all the comments there http://www.briansolis.com/2009/10/nsfw-when-social-networks-are-blo...

Conxa
@innova2