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

Curtin, Shane.

Anttiroiko, A., & Savolainen, R. (2011). Towards Library 2.0: The Adoption of Web 2.0 Technologies in Public Libraries. Libri: International Journal of Libraries and Information Services, (61)2, 87-99. DOI: 10.1515/libr.2011.008

This article explores libraries' attempts to reinvent their services through the implementation of Web 2.0 tools such as RSS feeds, live chat, blogs, and book rating and user tagging systems. The article makes a distinction between social media and Web 2.0, claiming that the former is just a subset of the latter. To address the "terminological ambiguity" the authors divide Web 2.0 tools into categories including social networking, special interest networks, media communities and content based SNSs. blogs, short messaging/feeding, sharing news/opinions/views, reference works, and collective intelligence (with examples of sites of each type and their utilization in libraries).  The article also discusses the purpose and potential of the tools public libraries have adopted, the ensuing formation of the concept of "Library 2.0" and its role in bringing about social changes such as "Government 2.0". The authors found that public libraries use Web 2.0 tools for four main purposes: communication, content sharing, social networking, and crowdsourcing. In many libraries, the reference department offers instant messaging for patron questions. Other oft-used tools include blogs, Twitter, Facebook, user enabled tagging for library catalogs (taking advantage of the "wisdom of crowds") and collaborative tagging via programs like Delicious. Many librarians surveyed in the authors'  research complained that maintaining Web 2.0 services increases workload, but also that their patrons report greater ease of use and satisfaction with library services. The authors call on libraries to move from an "evolutionary to a revolutionary" and integrate Web 2.0 fully into their identities.

Evaluation:

This article raised interesting questions, but provided no answers. It was effectively and overview of the ways in which select American libraries used Web 2.0 tools. I suspect that in 2011, when it was published, it seemed more original. I was quite interested in the larger implications of social media in libraries, but the article spent little time on these. It did emphasize that the library can use it's position in the community to become a launchpad for Web 2.0 understanding, and thus aid in the empowerment of individuals who learn how to effectively use these tools. "Government 2.0" as mentioned in the article, is a concept I have been hearing a little about lately- a scenario in which people use Web 2.0 to become more active participants in their government. In the years since this article was written, Twitter has become the main vehicle for Government 2.0. Certainly libraries have a role in the Web 2.0 revolution (given our operational tenants of free expression and freedom of access), but I think Web 2.0 is something that is moving forward  independently of us. Our responsibility is merely to keep up with it, and make sure we provide our users with the kinds of tools to which they are accustomed.