The document discusses how academic libraries can embrace Web 2.0 technologies like blogs, wikis, and social media to enhance services for patrons through increased interactivity, customization, and participation. Adopting these Web 2.0 approaches provides benefits for both patrons, who have more control over and involvement in their library experience, and librarians, who can engage patrons and adapt services to changing technologies. However, academic librarians also face challenges to Web 2.0 implementation like time constraints and resistance to change.
1. Web 2.0 and Academic Libraries
Xuemei Li
May 26th , 2009 UBC SLAIS
2. What is Web 2.0?
Web 1.0 versus Web 2.0
Britannica Online-->Wikipedia
personal websites-->blogging
publishing -->participation
content management systems-->wikis
directories (taxonomy)-->tagging ("folksonomy")
stickiness-->syndication
Tim O’Reilly in 2004
All about “the People”
The Web is perceived as a platform
Keywords: interactivity and customizability
3. Web 2.0 and Academic Libraries: a Marriage of Heaven
Library: All about patrons
Library 2.0 - Coined by Michael Casey in September 2005
Implications for academic libraries: More means to
enhance library services
Promotion: RSS feeds, facebook group, blogs, wikis etc
Communication: IM, social software, second life etc
Collaboration: blogs, wikis, social bookmarking etc
Instruction: Podcasting, Screencasting, Wimba etc
Expensese Reduction: Zotero versus RefWorks, gimp versus
Photoshop etc
4. Benefits for Patrons
In control of receiving library services
Be involved in library services creation and
evaluation
Be organized with their lives
More productive with their research/studies
Professional networking opportunities
Better prepared for future career
5. Benefits for Librarians
Enhance quality of services
In patrons’ preferred media
In their preferred communication tools
Repurposing their traditional skills
More means to engage patrons’ participation
Professional development
Communicate and collaborate with peers
Keep up-to-date with technology
In a better position to negotiate with vendors
More adaptable to the changing environment
6. Challenges for Academic Librarians?
Time limitation
More marketing efforts
Fear of change
Beta version = constant updating
7. Approaches Towards Library 2.0
23 things - August 2006, Helene Blowers
15 minutes each day
Team up
Hands on workshops
Dedicated wiki to get organized
8. Questions
What are your Library’s Web 2.0 approaches?
Any research on patrons’ Web 2.0 requirements?