In my last post I talked about the top 10 social networking in libraries trends for 2009, so now let me share what I believe are the top 10 trends for 2010.

1. An increase in the use of mobile applications for library services. This includes things such as text messaging but also the development of library web pages on .mobi domains for use on mobile devices and maybe even libraries creating iphone applications for their libraries.

2. Even more ebook readers and the popularity of the ones that already exist. New and existing ebook publishers and device manufacturers will find ways for patrons to download and read a higher number of ebooks from popular collections such as ebrary and netlibrary on ebook readers. This is still a challenge and it will be easier by the end of 2010.

3. The usage of more niche social networking sites for the public at large and this will spill over into libraries.

4. An increase in the amount and usage of Google Applications such as Google Wave and other similar applications.

5. The Google Books controversy will more or less be resolved and patrons will begin to use it more.

6. Library websites will become more socialized and customized. Patrons will be able to interact more directly with the library’s website.

7. College libraries will use more open source software and more social networking sites to educate their patrons and for library literacy in order to save money.

8. More libraries will use podcasting and itunes U to communicate with patrons and to offer value.

9. More libraries will offer social networking classes to their patrons.

10. Social networking in libraries will be viewed more as a must and as a way to save money than as a fun thing to play with or to use to market the library.

How was 2009 as a year for social networking tools for libraries? Well here are what I consider to be the top 10 tools, trends or sites that libraries began using successfully during 2009? Stay tuned in a few days for my list of predictions for 2010.

1. Facebook fan pages. This was the year that in my opinion many libraries started not only using them but making them work as a marketing tool for their library.

2. Twitter- before 2009, twitter was popular enough for many people but this year it really started being used by libraries and other library related vendors.

3. Library related widgets such as libguides widgets and gale widgets as well as those from other vendors. Although they existed before 2009, many vendors of library databases and other programs really began coming out with the social networking widgets for searching and using their products during this year.

4. Text a librarian and other texting services. Although some libraries may have used texting to hand held devices before 2009, it really increased in popularity this year.

5. Ebook readers- whether it is the kindle, the nook, or the sony reader, many more libraries and librarians as well as people either bought their first reader during 2009 or began really considering it.

6. Flickr- this site became even more popular in 2009 than it was in 2008. In 2008 the Library of Congress put their collection on flickr and many more libraries followed suite this year.

7. Online reference and citation software programs such as refworks and bibme. This increased in popularity and there are even more of them being made available for free than in the past.

8. Online book reading and sharing communities such as good reads, and shelfari.

9. Open source web design programs for creating a website such as Drupal, Joomla and WordPress. Although reasonably popular before because of budgeting concerns, even more libraries are now using them to create their websites.

10. Social Networking classes- although not a completely new idea, it seems that the increase in these being offered at libraries was significant this year and why not? Social networking is popular and it is a great way to market the library and get patrons in the door.

So what did I miss that you thing was an important tool, resource or trend for social networking in libraries this year?