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Article
Publication date: 10 April 2009

Qiaoying Zheng and Shaoping Wang

The aim of this paper is to focus on the formulation of a Library 2.0 program that will guide the realization of a “user‐centered” service pattern.

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to focus on the formulation of a Library 2.0 program that will guide the realization of a “user‐centered” service pattern.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth user investigations are the first step toward a successful Library 2.0 program, which will reflect what users really hope to achieve through Library 2.0. Three user investigations were carried out with the purpose to get users' opinions and suggestions about Library 2.0 services. Then the target was formed on the basis of analysis and evaluation of users' needs. The Library 2.0 programming was analyzed in four tiers of management ideas, service patterns, technical support, and content development.

Findings

User investigations are of primary importance in programming Library 2.0, and a program formulated on such investigations will not miss its aim, and be more realistic.

Originality/value

The paper does not dwell on technical particularities of Library 2.0, but focuses on the key role of a program in realization of the concept of Library 2.0, and the methodology of programming.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2009

Nicholas Joint

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate issues surrounding Web 2.0 technologies and their relevance to libraries by general discussion and examples from library practice.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate issues surrounding Web 2.0 technologies and their relevance to libraries by general discussion and examples from library practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A broad narrative account of Web 2.0 developments combined with illustrations of how one library in particular reacted to these developments.

Findings

It was found that all libraries need to evolve a Web 2.0 strategy to promote this aspect of their services, but that they will need to devise solutions to specific problems as part of this strategy. These include the range of Web 2.0 platforms that are on offer and the authentication and workload issues associated with this diversity. A single, unified library system‐based approach to Web 2.0 is offered as a viable alternative to using disparate external services.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not resolve the difference between a multi‐platform Web 2.0 strategy and the single, unified library system‐based approach, although a preference for the systems‐based approach is suggested. The relative strengths and weaknesses of these two approaches is worthy of further research.

Practical implications

At the level of practice, this viewpoint article offers two alternative Web 2.0 strategies which can be applied quite readily in everyday library work.

Originality/value

This paper tries to offer a clear range of options for librarians interested in pursuing Web 2.0 services, facilitating successful service enhancement in the working library.

Details

Library Review, vol. 58 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 July 2009

Ivan Chew

The purpose of this paper is to present an exploratory survey as part of a presentation for the Bridging Worlds 2008 conference. It seeks to understand how library institutions in…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an exploratory survey as part of a presentation for the Bridging Worlds 2008 conference. It seeks to understand how library institutions in the South East Asia (SEA) region have implemented Web 2.0 technologies – blogs, RSS feeds, wikis, or the use of services like Flickr, YouTube, de.lici.ous.

Design/methodology/approach

Libraries surveyed were in: Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, People's Republic of China, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. The survey relied on references in published papers, internet searches and personal contacts.

Findings

The survey found that more academic libraries than public libraries were using Web 2.0. technologies. Blogs and RSS feeds were the most common. Blogs were used mainly as web publishing tools rather than as a means to engage library users.

Research limitations/implications

The survey is not comprehensive. The search relied mainly on English publications and keywords, while the native language of most countries surveyed was non‐English. Future research could comprehensively cover each country, by the type of library or language.

Practical implications

The paper contends that Web 2.0 does not rely on technology, but more on practice and participation. The emphasis should be on relationships rather than transactions. Suggestions are offered on how libraries can adopt a Library 2.0 mindset without focusing on technology. A call is made to establish an East Asian Librarians 2.0 directory.

Originality/value

The paper offers a non‐technological perspective to institutions and practising professionals who are reviewing their Web 2.0 implementation.

Details

Program, vol. 43 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2009

Xinya Yang, Qunyi Wei and Xiaodong Peng

The purpose of this article is to present a subsection circulatory management (SCM) model of Library 2.0. The design idea of Library 2.0 system architecture is to be illustrated…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present a subsection circulatory management (SCM) model of Library 2.0. The design idea of Library 2.0 system architecture is to be illustrated and a five‐tier model of service‐oriented architecture (SOA) is to be put forward and analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The SOA model conforms to the desires of Library 2.0. Libraries require integration of literature resources, knowledge services and operations management and together all these integrations must be based on the user service. The realization of the concept and technology of Library 2.0 is similar with the SOA model.

Findings

Current library management systems (LMS) remain at the era of Library 1.0, which focused on literature management. The new design principles are aiming to manage library resources much better. Library 2.0 must break through the current framework, and adopt a multilayer structure, user‐centered and service‐oriented system architecture to integrate the resources, the services and managements. Amongst other things, Library 2.0 should utilize the multilayer architecture based on the module mode, improve the flexibility and adaptability of modern management systems, both in system configuration and operational management.

Originality/value

The SOA model is applied in Library 2.0 for the first time and is divided into five tiers – hardware tier, system tier, data tier, operation management tier and knowledge service tier. According to the architecture, three application systems – LMS based on librarians, knowledge service system based on patrons, and knowledge search engine, are designed.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 February 2010

N.S. Harinarayana and N. Vasantha Raju

The purpose of this paper is to explore recent trends in the application of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 features as exemplified through university library web sites around the world.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore recent trends in the application of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 features as exemplified through university library web sites around the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The top 100 universities from the ranked list of 200 provided on the Times Higher Education web site were considered for collection of data and from this list a selection was made of 57 of these universities. This selection was based on whether the site was in English and whether it had at least one Web 2.0 feature. For each of these universities their web sites were visited and data on their Web 2.0 features (such as Blogs, RSS, Instant Messaging, Wikis and the like) were collected and analyzed.

Findings

Results reveal that 37 university libraries use RSS feeds for dissemination of library news, events and announcements and 15 university libraries provide blog space for users. Whereas wiki is the least applied Web 2.0 technology, with only one university using it, Instant Messaging is another most widely applied feature with 37 libraries already providing reference service through it. Podcast (used in three libraries) and Vidcast (used in six libraries) are yet to become popular facilities to be offered in university library web sites.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on the university ranking for 2007, as the World Top 200 Universities 2008 was not published until October 2008 when this article was being finalized. However, this does not affect the outcome of the Web 2.0 features being utilized by the universities.

Originality/value

Most of the earlier studies on the subject deal with Web 2.0 tools and how they could be used in the library context. The present paper, however, provides concrete evidence of the application of Web 2.0 in university libraries. As such it should prove of interest to all types of libraries, even though its context is university libraries.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2019

B. Preedip Balaji, Vinay M.S., Shalini B.G. and Mohan Raju J.S.

This paper aims to explore recent trends of how Web 2.0 applications were used in 75 academic libraries in Asia through their library websites.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore recent trends of how Web 2.0 applications were used in 75 academic libraries in Asia through their library websites.

Design/methodology/approach

The Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2016 was considered for this study and out of 200 top universities ranked, 75 universities were selected for data collection. Using a multi-method approach, this study evaluated key design elements, library service platforms and website content of each academic library website, examining their site features, Web 2.0 types and applications. The criteria for selecting the websites were first the website was in English and second had Web 2.0 applications integrated into the main website. For the ranking of websites, a library web service index was developed, benchmarking from these groups – resource discovery tools, Web 2.0 applications, e-resources, mobile applications, library guides, digital reference services and digital inclusion – as indicators.

Findings

The authors found that over two-thirds of Asian university libraries have deployed one or more Web 2.0 applications, though their popularity and implementation vary greatly. Most widely used Web 2.0 applications are Facebook (61.3 per cent), RSS (53.3 per cent), Twitter (46.7 per cent) and YouTube (37.3 per cent). Instant messaging (5.3 per cent) and podcasting (4 per cent) were least applied. With an average of 44 per cent, the diffusion rate of Web information is moderately high among the majority of the Asian university libraries.

Originality/value

Many studies explored Web 2.0 applications from developed countries. However, this study attempts evaluating the use of Web 2.0 applications through content, sites and features of academic libraries in Asia, from developing countries perspective.

Details

The Electronic Library , vol. 37 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2013

Edda Tandi Lwoga

This study aims to examine the suitability of information systems (IS) success model in the adoption of library 2.0 technologies among undergraduate students in the African…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the suitability of information systems (IS) success model in the adoption of library 2.0 technologies among undergraduate students in the African context, and focused at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) of Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the IS success model, the study re‐specified and validated the IS model to examine adoption of library 2.0 technologies via a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The study examined the role of quality (service quality, information quality and system quality) in influencing user perceived net benefits, satisfaction and intention to reuse library 2.0 application. A case study research design was used in this study. Self‐administered questionnaire were distributed to all first year undergraduate students (n=408) at MUHAS, with a rate of return of 71.8%.

Findings

The study findings confirm the validity of using the proposed IS model for library 2.0 adoption assessment. The users’ intention to reuse is quite important, and accurately predicts the usage behaviour of library 2.0 services. The perceived net benefits had the strongest effect on users’ intention to reuse library 2.0 systems than any other determinants within the model. Among the three quality‐related constructs, service quality had the strongest total effect on perceived net benefits and intention to reuse. Compared to system quality, information quality had the largest effect on user satisfaction. It is thus important for librarians to consider all these factors for effective adoption of library 2.0 projects in research and academic institutions.

Originality

This is the first comprehensive study focusing on the health sciences library patron's usage behaviour of library 2.0 applications in Tanzania, and reveals findings that are useful for planning and implementing library 2.0 initiatives in other institutions with similar conditions.

Details

Campus-Wide Information Systems, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1065-0741

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 March 2010

Zhiping Han and Yan Quan Liu

This paper aims to explore the status and construction pattern of Web 2.0 technologies employed in top Chinese university libraries, their functionalities and features.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the status and construction pattern of Web 2.0 technologies employed in top Chinese university libraries, their functionalities and features.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of online survey and content analysis methodology is applied to a sample of 38 top Chinese university libraries' web sites. The Web 2.0 tools are categorized by generally accepted standards with some adjustment for library practices. Data were collected by accessing these university library web sites on two separate occasions during the period of February 10‐20, 2009 by utilizing a checklist of 52 questions.

Findings

More than two‐thirds of the 38 top Chinese university libraries apply one or more kinds of Web 2.0 tools through the basic functions of their web sites. Among six types of tools, Catalog 2.0 and RSS are the most common, while IM, Blog, SNS and Wiki are less frequent.

Research limitations/implications

Internal applications that are not publicly accessible contain hidden information that may not be gathered through content analysis since these links usually cannot be found on library web sites. It is difficult to get exact information as to the applications of Web 2.0 in these libraries without an interview method in combination to observation.

Originality/value

This study provides an overall picture of Web 2.0 tools developed in top Chinese university libraries, allowing for future evaluation and planning. The implementation of Web 2.0 applications and their constructing pattern is not only indicative of the development of the Chinese digital libraries, but also to their development of digital libraries in the world at large.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 November 2014

Emmanuel E Baro, Nelson Edewor and Godwin Sunday

– This paper aims to investigate the level of awareness and use of Web 2.0 tools by librarians in university libraries in Africa.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the level of awareness and use of Web 2.0 tools by librarians in university libraries in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was used to collect data from 140 librarians from 16 leading university libraries in Africa.

Findings

The study revealed that librarians in Africa are mostly familiar with Web 2.0 tools such as social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), blogs, instant messaging and wikis. It was also found that the most frequently used Web 2.0 tools by the librarians in university libraries in Africa are Facebook, instant messaging, blogs, Twitter and wikis. The study revealed that the librarians use the Web 2.0 tools for the purpose of announcing library news/events, online reference services, training resources, blogging and image and video sharing with users. Finally, lack of skills, power failure, lack of facilities such as computers with Internet access, lack of time and lack of interest were mentioned by the librarians as some of the challenges to using Web 2.0 tools.

Practical implications

These research results can also be consulted by interested librarians when they plan to make Web 2.0 applications in their libraries.

Originality/value

This study draws an overall picture of the Web 2.0 applications in university libraries in Africa and attempts to provide these libraries with helpful information to better understand how their colleagues elsewhere are utilizing Web 2.0 technologies in rendering library services.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 32 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 January 2011

Frederick Nesta and Jia Mi

This paper aims to present a critical review of “Web 2.0” and “Library 2.0” applications and proposal of a redirection of resources towards semantic web developments.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a critical review of “Web 2.0” and “Library 2.0” applications and proposal of a redirection of resources towards semantic web developments.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a historical review of library development and new technology.

Findings

The paper finds that acceptance by the public of “Library 2.0” applications has been low and that social networking tools do not contribute to the core mission of libraries.

Originality/value

The paper proposes that the concept of a second era of libarianship and the term “Library II” should apply to the revolution in library services that occurred with the development of the MARC format in the 1960s and that librarians should be looking towards “Library III” by developing new linkages with semantic web tools.

Details

Library Management, vol. 32 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

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