How suitable is Yahoo! Groups for school librarians’ professional networking? A case study from Hong Kong

Abstract

This paper explores how members of Hong Kong based professional association of school librarians (ALESS) use Yahoo! Groups platform for their professional networking and how the platform satisfies the group’s professional needs. The case study research method is applied and both quantitative and qualitative data are collected. It is revealed that ALESS members effectively use Yahoo! Groups platform even though they do not exploit all available features. ALESS members regularly use web-based mail and occasionally Files and Polls. Although some group members think that Yahoo! Groups need to be replaced with a more user- friendly tool, most respondents agree that for the time being Yahoo! Groups platform fairly fulfils ALESS group’s needs. Further analysis of existing social networking software and ALESS group’s needs and preferences are recommended.