University Libraries and Gorgas Information Services will teach students how to use Twitter as an information resource for their professional and academic lives today at Amelia Gayle Gorgas in room 205 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

The new Lunch ‘n Learn workshop series will host a series of three workshops for students throughout the semester focusing on using social networks in job searches and the professional world.

Melissa Fortson, a research and instructional services librarian and leader of the first session, said everyone can learn something from the workshop.

“People already using Twitter socially will learn strategies for using is as a research tool,” Fortson said. “People not using Twitter will learn more about the service, including things to keep in mind when creating an account for school and work purposes.”

Nancy Fawley, department head of Gorgas Information Services, said the skills being taught in the workshops are beneficial for those students on the job search.

“Students can put these workshops on their resume as professional development,” Fawley said. “Employers appreciate new hires who know how to professionally use social media.”

Josh Sahib, research and instructional services librarian, will be leading a workshop on Facebook in October. He said many students fail to change privacy settings in a way that will keep potential employers off their profiles.

“Facebook is so hugely popular for UA students, but they might not always know what some of the pitfalls can be,” Sahib said. “Especially with the new privacy settings and as students go out into the workforce, it is important to know how to lock down account settings.”

Fortson agreed that some students are not fully aware of the full effects of social media.

“I’m not sure if students realize once it is out there, it is out there even if you delete it,” Fortson said. “Even with so-called private accounts, it is generally best to avoid posting anything you wouldn’t want on the front page of the newspaper.”

Sahib said the idea for the informational workshops was sparked by the interactive roles of libraries in communities.

“I was at the Alabama Library Association Conference. A public librarian had done a series of talks in his small town called Lunch ‘n Learn about medical issues, sports and other things the community was interested in,” Sahib said. “It got me thinking about what students are into and what they could look into, and social networks came to mind.”

Fawley agreed that a librarian’s role is no longer to sit at a desk and wait for students to ask for help.

“We are here to help students access and use information beyond their academic life,” Fawley said. “We don’t only help students find info for a paper. We want to teach them how to access and use information in a responsible way, even if it is not for a grade.”

Fawley said that several professors on campus are giving students extra credit for attending the Lunch ‘n Learn workshops, and that students should ask professors about the extra credit opportunity even if the professors have not mentioned it.

The informal workshops will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. in 205 Gorgas. The first workshop will be on Wednesday, Sept. 21, with the following workshops on Oct. 19 and Nov. 16. Light snacks and drinks will be served.