Web 2.0 is seen as the next step in the
evolution of the World Wide Web. It is
commonly associated with web applications that facilitate interactive
information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration
on the web. (Click, Petit) This form of
online activity is seen as creating online communities with all parties sharing
ownership and participation. Libraries are moving to benefit from these applications
by enhancing their services to patrons and highlighting their importance as a
community resource. One of the oldest Web 2.0 applications is Wikipedia. This interactive application is considered
by reference librarians as a general reference source due to its open acceptance
of input by users. It also highlights
the clash between traditional reference sources and Web 2.0 sources allowing
open access and input to users.
Most Web 2.0 applications are linked to
social networks. Facebook and Twitters
are important examples. Social networks are based upon a software that
facilitate people to connect, collaborate and form virtual communities via
Internet (Aqil, Ahmad, Siddique) Facebook
and Twitter are used to highlight library services and create long term
interactive relationships with patrons. Facebook
can provide interactive discussions on specialized programs and twitter can
give quick notices and instructions on upcoming programs and new online
products. As an example, a specialized program,
such as services to the homebound can have an associated Facebook page to assist
with interaction with patrons. However,
a large portion of this group includes the elderly who may not have access to
computers or be open to using them.
These applications also require extensive work by highly qualified and
technologically savvy librarians. Training,
motivating and developing these librarians is an important challenge for
library administrations (Aqil, Ahmad, Siddique). Related is also the use of YouTube to share videos. Libraries can use this application to provide
educational and/or informational instructions.
This can be used to help patrons navigate new online databases or be
part of programs they may not be able to attend. Patrons can also provide their own recordings
of library programs they enjoyed and interact with the library and other
viewers by reviewing events (Kern, Stephens).
Web Podcasting provides real time access
to programs and instructions. Participants
can review and provide input or review the presentation. Web Blogs are on-going active web pages that
are related to a particular subject or position. While the blogger writes and publishes an entry,
reader’s contributions and participation can influence and control the direction
of the blog. Libraries are learning to
use blogs to discuss new services, possible programs or library issues, such as
new technology products and funding options.
Blogs can be critical in obtaining buy in from patrons to proposed
service changes and funding challenges.
All these applications are critical to
maintaining a vibrant and active relationship with internal and external
stakeholders. The challenges to Library
Administration lies with the development of a new skill set for librarians,
especially those who have serve for a considerable number of years. Development is costly and time consuming but is
critical since moving to active online interaction with patrons is ultimately
the new direction for libraries. At the
other extreme is to prevent being overwhelmed by the rapid and increasing scope
of new technology or what some are calling Technolust. Technolust is when the need to at the
forefront of new technology clouds a person’s faculty to study changes in a
logical and cost effective manner (Kern, Stephens) Through long term planning
and scanning of internal and external factors are key to making sound operational
decisions related to overall library services and not rely solely on
technological advances to dictate the future of library services (Kern, Stephens).
The future of the library’s technology may well be Web 3.0. However, libraries
cannot place their future in technology alone but in encouraging completely new
creative ways of educating people in the use of library services and changing
the structure and overall library concept to increase the importance of
libraries as a resource to its communities.
References
Click,
A., & Petit, J. (2010). Social networking and web
2.0 in information literacy. The
international
information & library review, 42, 137-142.
doi: doi:10.1016/j.iilr.2010.04.007
Ten steps for planning in a 2.0 world. Reference
&
user services quarterly, 47(4), 314-317.
Aqil,
M., Ahmad, P., & Siddique, M. A. (2011). Web 2.0
and libraries: Facts or myths. Desidoc
journal of
library & information technology, 31(5), 395-400.
The term technolust is interesting. Technology should be implemented in an organized manner and should serve a specific purpose. Just adding technology to say you have it is a great way to frustrate yourself.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up an excellent point about upgrading for the sake of upgrading when it comes to technology. There are plenty of technologies that never catch on or fizzle soon after creation. How many people who were early adopters of BetaMax, Laserdiscs, HDDVD, and other failed formats would consider their purchase to have been a sound investment? The training front will be an interesting one as technology becomes more and more commonplace. Many older librarians may well feel it is too late to learn the new while they are comfortable with the old. Of course, training may grow even more complicated as new standards and formats emerge. Will legacy systems be kept around or will they be upgraded? What happens when the skill sets required to maintain these systems is no longer common knowledge?
ReplyDeleteI agree that technology can really extend the reach of libraries, but that simply following technological advances for the sake of keeping up can also create some problems. One of the things that can possibly get lost in the drive to be more technologically up-to-date is printed material, like books. As libraries become more and more information centers that provide access to computers, books sometimes become a secondary concern.
ReplyDelete