Web 2.0 Technologies in the Library

Web 2.0 Technologies:
Are they applicable to our libraries?

With the help of Web 2.0 technologies, libraries and information professionals are given a chance to explore and utilize the available web resources to promote, develop and improve the library with the active participation of the clienteles--- giving them power and opportunity to control information, as well as experience access to library services in a more special way.

Some of the most popular Web 2.0 technologies are Instant Messaging (IM), Web blogs, and RSS (Really Simple Syndication), which could potentially provide an adequate development on how library would timelessly presents and deliver its services to its clienteles.

It was a surprise to know that the concept of Web 2.0 is already in existence for quite sometime and that we are already using it, but we are not just aware that these technologies are part of the so called “Web 2.0”. I, myself, I am not familiar with the term, and I didn’t even know that IM , which I have been using for two years now, is part of it.

Instant messaging (IM) is useful for library reference service. Clienteles can easily send-in their requests and queries to the librarian or reference officer without actually going to the library. The librarians can actually respond to clientele concerns through Instant Message. IM provides auto- archive of conversations (you can actually archive the requests/ query transaction per day), show IM status on if busy or available, as well as share or submit document requests to clienteles. Instant messaging also requires familiarity with the available services of the IM, version upgrades, and most importantly, the library staff and clienteles should have create IM IDs, and also a stable internet connection in order to facilitate prompt communication of service.

Blog or Web Blog, can give a more interactive services for clienteles if used in a library set-up. Through this library can make the public know the information about its institution and library as well------ it may include data on library collection and library staff, library service hour, services available, its location and contact information. Blog can be use as an effective publicity media for the current activities of the library since it presents posts on chronological order. Moreover, library could actually include a feedback or comment section for clienteles so that they could dig up some inputs from its users, and whatever are the feed backs-- it could be an ample basis for the improvement or additional services for the library.

The combination of RSS and Weblog create a more advance and interesting services for the library. With this, libraries can provide combine and present different services from a wide variety of resources available on web (such as videos, pictures, and sounds), and make it available from one place to another. Through the use of RSS, library could supply clienteles with information that need to be read or access on a regular basis.

I found IM very useful in my institution because the clienteles of the library donot have to go personally to requests for material, i can easily accomodate their requests through IM. Archived message can also be used for requests documentation, and you can also easily go back to each messages in case you have forgotten it. However, sometimes IM is not also that stable. Based on my experience, sometimes i wasn't able to recieved requests sent through IM and often than not..some IM software downloads are prone to virus (such as Kxvo system files) that are quite hazardeous to the computer system.

With regard to RSS and weblog, i think this could provide and pretty much accomodate interesting services for the library. I just have to be prepared and interested in discovering the web advances of each. I just need the right attitude.. no matter how confusing it is, as long as you have the right attitude towards it, you will definitely learn to appreciate and love it, hence, the course of learning will be easy and fun. And also we should take note that before we publish anything in our blogs, we must always consider the inherent danger or possible outcome of it, especially when its a blog site for our institution -- we should always consider SOPs and confidentialities of related information. ^_^

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REFERENCES:

TITLE: How to use web 2.o in your Library
AUTHOR: Bradley, Phil (2007)
PUBLISHER: Facet Publishing

TITLE: Library 2.0
AUTHOR: Wikipedia (date retrieved: July 10, 2008)
URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_2.0

TITLE: Web 2.0
AUTHOR: Wikipedia (date retrieved: July 10, 2008)
URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0

TITLE: What is Web 2.0? : Getting Beyond the Hype of Web 2.0
AUTHOR: Kyrnin, Jennifer Kyrnin. About.com (date retrieved: July 10, 2008)
URL:http://webdesign.about.com/od/web20/a/aa021306.htm