Towards Library 2.0: The Adoption of Web 2.0 Technologies in Public Libraries

Bacarro, Filipina

Citation: Anttiroiko, A.-V., & Savolainen, R. (2011). Towards Library 2.0: The adoption of Web 2.0 technologies in public libraries. Libri: International Journal of Libraries & Information Services, 61, 87-99. doi: 10.1515/libr.2011.008

Summary: The authors discussed the Web 2.0 technologies, applications, and services being used in public libraries and for what purpose. They also addressed the potential of Web 2.0 technologies in developing public library services. They conducted a literature review using two databases, Library and Information Science Abstract (LISA) and EBSCO, using key search terms such as Public Library 2.0 and Web 2.0. The authors noted that Western countries have made notable progress in using Web 2.0 technology and chose to focus on them due to the lack of research on global developments of Web 2.0. Public library websites of “pioneering libraries” were also studied, primarily located in the US, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, and the Nordic countries. The authors utilized a qualitative content analysis framework and organized research material into four main purposes of Web 2.0 technologies: communication (e.g., instant messaging, libraryh31p—an integrated IM/Web-chat help system, RSS feeds, Twitter), content sharing (e.g., YouTube, blogs, wikis, Flickr), social networking (e.g., Facebook, local/community Social Networking Sites [SNSs], special Interest Networks [SINs], SecondLife), and crowdsourcing (e.g., Tagging, library wikis, social bookmarking/collaborative tagging [e.g., Delicious]). 

Evaluation/Opinion: The article illustrated the potential for integrating Web 2.0 tools into library services. Having somewhat limited knowledge of Web 2.0 tools, I found the summaries in this article helpful in describing the tools under the Web 2.0 umbrella. It was also useful to read about the ways  public libraries have used them, such as in a reference (e.g., instant messaging) or knowledge sharing (e.g., wikis) capacity. This article is more of a survey and review and so no particular case study was illustrated that would have been a good complement. It did, however, motivate me to think about the processes involved in shifting from the library’s role of being a “mediator” of knowledge to being a “[contributor] to the increase of human capital “(p. 87). It is in the discussion section where the authors brought to the reader’s attention considerations regarding the implementation of Web 2.0, such as resources needed, marketing, and impact on staff. A statement I found valuable when thinking about using these tools in the library setting is the following: “…public libraries should base their adoption of social media on their own natural context and learn the best way of applying its methods in their processes” (p. 96). Though this statement specifically pertains to social media, it seems useful to think about when considering use of Web 2.0 in general because it can help to ensure that the tools are being used strategically, in a way that will hopefully enhance a service and patrons’ experience.