Library 2.0

In order to understand and define the term ‘Library 2.0’, one has to have an understanding of what is meant by Web 2.0. Web 2.0 is primarily concerned with online communication, collaboration and sharing content, with particular focus on creating an interactive environment (Maness 2006, Balas 2007). Due to web 2’s socially interactive nature, which allows for group participation, the lines between consumer and creator are blurred (Maness 2006, Grossman 2006). Web 2.0 initiatives, and indeed the term itself, are often defined by the technologies that enable collaborative participation, such as social software networking sites, blogs, wikis, podcasts, RSS feeds etc (Coombs 2007). Therefore, those online applications that allow for the creation and sharing of information, collaboration, interaction, and communication fall under the banner of web 2.

From here it is not difficult to see what web refer to when we talk about Library 2.0. Library 2.0 attempts to incorporate those communicative aspects of web applications into library websites, creating a more interactive and participative environment for online users. Casey, who is credited with originally coining the term Library 2.0 on his blog, and Savastinuk, claim that any service, whether physical or virtual, that is constantly evaluated, successfully reaches out appealing to users, and utilises user input is a Library 2.0 service (2006).

Clearly libraries could not be presumed to be the only entity to take advantage of the benefits afforded by 2.0 technologies. Grossman discusses ‘2.0’ today being applied to a range of organisations that provide information and services such as Travel 2.0 and eLearning 2.0. He sees 2.0 as “representing a new set of development tools or platforms that facilitate an interactive environment” which allows interaction and participation (2006).

Maness (2006) and Balas (2007) both stress the importance of services like Library 2.0 as they not only provide library users with an interactive space, but also bring the library to a wider community. This creates an environment where the user can engage with the library community even beyond the physical confines of the library walls.

Library 2.0 strives to provide:

• Communication in such forms as instant messaging, wikis, blogs
• A more user centered service, allowing participation in creation of content. Outlets for feedback, harnessing of customer knowledge, and allowing user reviews, comments, tags and ratings to catalogue items
• Communally innovative
• A multimedia experience
• A socially rich environment
• A service and environment which is constantly evaluated and changed
• A virtual community, a virtual reality for libraries and their users

So what will all this mean for the physical libraries of the future? Grossman reports that libraries that have open websites allowing for Library 2.0 type applications involved in a study actually have more foot traffic (2006).

This Posting is based on the article:
‘Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and its implications for libraries’ by Jack M Maness, Webology, vol.3, no.2 2006, available at http://www.webology.ir/2006/v3n2/a25.html

References:
Balas, JL 2007, ‘eLearning about Library 2.0’, Computers in Libraries, vol.27, no.1, pp39-42

Casey, ME & Savastinuk, LC 2006, ‘Library 2.0’, Library Journal, vol.131, no.14, pp40-42

Coombs, KA 2007, ‘Building a library web site on the pillars of Web 2.0’, Computers in Libraries, vol.27, no.1, pp.216-19

Grossman, D 2007, ‘Internet librarian 2006: 10 years old and going strong’, Searcher, vol.15, no.2, pp45-50

Maness, JM 2006, ‘Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and its implications for libraries’, Webology, vol.3, no.2, available at http://www.webology.ir/2006/v3n2/a25.html

Further reading:
Article:
‘Web 2.0: Building the New Library’ http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue45/miller

Networks discussing Library 2.0:
http://library20.ning.com
http://library2.0.alablog.org
http://www.librarycrunch.com