Library 2.0 technologies in academic libraries, a case study of student use and perceptions Anne Morris and Katie Allen Loughborough University

Contents Introduction Library 2 technologies & examples of use Methodology of case study Results Conclusions

Introduction

Library 2 technologies & examples of use

Methodology of case study

Results

Conclusions

Introduction - Web 2.0 Web as platform Harnesses collective intelligence Facilitates knowledge sharing Promotes high levels of engagement and user loyalties Constantly changing A second generation of services available on the web that lets people collaborate and share information online The more the services are used the better they get RSS feeds Podcasts Blogs Content tagging Image sites Mash ups Vidcasts Social networking

Web as platform

Harnesses collective intelligence

Facilitates knowledge sharing

Promotes high levels of

engagement and user loyalties

Constantly changing

The more the services are used the better they get

Introduction – Library 2.0 “ the application of interactive, collaborative, and multimedia web-based technologies to web-based library services and collections” Maness 2006 Four essential elements : user-centred provides a multi-media experience socially rich communally innovative Many sites provide free Library 2.0 Webinars and tutorials, for example, see [email_address]

“ the application of interactive, collaborative, and multimedia web-based technologies to web-based library services and collections” Maness 2006

Four essential elements :

user-centred

provides a multi-media experience

socially rich

communally innovative

Many sites provide free Library 2.0 Webinars and tutorials, for example, see [email_address]

Library application - Weblogs Individual or a group of individuals Personal content organised in reverse chronological order Most permit visitors to post comments Weblogs promote the aim of library bringing news to users facilitating communication amongst librarians providing links to recommended sources listing book reviews initiating book discussions promoting entertainment encouraging the development of a community

Individual or a group of individuals

Personal content organised in reverse chronological order

Most permit visitors to post comments

encouraging the development of a community

Library applications - Wikis A Web site that allows users to add and update content on the site which is mainly created by collaborative effort of site visitors More interactivity than blogs Wikis creating resource lists tips for resource finding comment on library services Issues Trust Security Ease of installation and use Cost

A Web site that allows users to add and update content on the site which is mainly created by collaborative effort of site visitors

More interactivity than blogs

Issues

Trust

Security

Ease of installation and use

Cost

Biz Wiki

Library applications– instant messaging Enables a real time communication between students and librarians IM Chat services Reference management Training Online seeking assistance Issues: Lack of non- verbal cues Time pressures Several stages

Enables a real time communication between students and librarians

Reference management

Issues:

Lack of non-

verbal cues

Time pressures

Several stages

Library applications - Podcasts “ a series of digital-media files which are distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and computers” - Wikipedia Podcasts weekly updates book reviews lectures tutorials events conferences library guides tours interviews

“ a series of digital-media files which are distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and computers” - Wikipedia

Library application – social networking Range of web-based software programs that allows users to interact and share data with other users Examples: Facebook and MySpace, Flickr, YouTube, Slideshare Social networking profiling preferred searches distributing search alerts providing recommendations creating lists of popular books tagging items aiding group learning staff collaboration enabling peer editing promoting library events or services student collaboration

Range of web-based software programs that allows users to interact and share data with other users

Examples: Facebook and MySpace, Flickr, YouTube, Slideshare

promoting library events or services

Methods The Pilkington Library Web 2.0 applications Podcast introducing the library SCI News Blog Automatic updates on courses Automatic updates of new material Facebook presence Other podcasts

The Pilkington Library Web 2.0 applications

Podcast introducing the library

SCI News Blog

Automatic updates on courses

Automatic updates of new material

Facebook presence

Other podcasts

Methods Web-based questionnaire was sent out to all 484 students in the Department of Information Science four sections: information about the respondent their library use their library 2.0 use their perceptions on Library 2.0 technologies Five semi-structured interviews

Web-based questionnaire was sent out to all 484 students in the Department of Information Science

four sections:

information about the respondent

their library use

their library 2.0 use

their perceptions on Library 2.0 technologies

Five semi-structured interviews

Results 82 students responded Five interviewees included research student, taught masters’ student, and three undergraduates

82 students responded

Five interviewees included research student, taught masters’ student, and three undergraduates

Library 2.0 use Heard of concept? Less than half of questionnaire respondents (41%) None of the interviewees

Heard of concept?

Less than half of questionnaire respondents (41%)

None of the interviewees

Use of Library 2.0 tools

Use of Library 2.0 technologies if implemented

Usefulness of applications 73 4.0 Receiving updates of all new material related to my course 53 3.5 Receiving updates of new material in library 47 3.4 Receiving updates of library news and announcements 28 2.9 Viewing virtual tours of library % useful or very useful Likert score (Max 5)

“ I would find it extremely useful to receive updates which were specific to my needs, such as that relating to my module and year of study. However anything broader than this and I wouldn’t even open the e-mail”.

“ I would find it extremely useful to receive updates which were specific to my needs, such as that relating to my module and year of study. However anything broader than this and I wouldn’t even open the e-mail”.

Attitudes towards Library 2.0 technologies Strongly disagree Strongly agree

Attitudes towards Library 2.0 technologies Strongly disagree Strongly agree

Conclusions 1 Students hold mildly positive views about Library 2.0 Most welcomed are: RSS feeds Podcasting Instant Messaging Professional reviews of books Social networking not thought particularly useful

Students hold mildly positive views about Library 2.0

Most welcomed are:

RSS feeds

Podcasting

Instant Messaging

Professional reviews of books

Social networking not thought particularly useful

Conclusions 2 Benefits: Improve quality of group and individual work Help locate resources Help promote knowledge sharing Barriers: Lack of privacy and identity theft Low perception & confidence in own knowledge (fear of ridicule) Not wanting to share if others didn’t Not knowing what is available

Benefits:

Improve quality of group and individual work

Help locate resources

Help promote knowledge sharing

Barriers:

Lack of privacy and identity theft

Low perception & confidence in own knowledge (fear of ridicule)

Not wanting to share if others didn’t

Not knowing what is available

Future of Library 2.0 “ I think to a degree they should invest as it is important for the library to change …. I don’t think they should invest too much as it’s more important to have access to more journals and books, as that’s what’s giving you information…but if they don’t invest I think they will get left behind”

“ I think to a degree they should invest as it is important for the library to change …. I don’t think they should invest too much as it’s more important to have access to more journals and books, as that’s what’s giving you information…but if they don’t invest I think they will get left behind”

“ Social networking brings work and play too much together. There needs to be a line where the two are separate”.

“ Social networking brings work and play too much together. There needs to be a line where the two are separate”.

‘ There is a time to let things happen and a time to make things happen’ Hugh Prather The key is to be user driven

‘ There is a time to let things happen and a time to make things happen’

Hugh Prather

The key is to be user driven