Web 2.0 and Libraries

Penny Ziegler and Sean Redefer

What is Web 2.0?"Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform.  Chief among those rules is this:  Build applications to get better the more people use them.  (This is what I've elsewhere called 'harnessing collective intelligence.')"  Tim O'Reilly 

What does Web 2.0 do?     

• Allows users to act as contributors• Permits the development of more

easily used   • programming• Encourages users to work with each other• Allows the development of software to be

used • by more than one device• Provides the user with an enriching

experience• Supports the participation of users

What is Library 2.0?

This is a loosely defined term that reflects the updated way  

in which library services are better able to assist their  

customers.

What is the focus of      Library 2.0?  •It allows for user-centered participation and online services.

 •It improves the flow of information from the user back to the library and vice versa. •It allows for continual evaluation of a library's site. •It utilizes customers' suggestions through feedback and participation.

               "Social Networking in Plain English"  

What is social networking?

Blogs = Web logs

     Blogs allow individuals to develop articles   

written in an informal manner that can cover  

personal journals, news and/or business.   

These are available for anyone to view but they  

may not be changed in any manner.  

Do librarys use blogs?      YES!  

• Library directors might use one to keep customers updated. • Libraries might announce events on one. • Libraries could share information regarding new materials

and resources available. • Libraries use one to encourage teen participation. • Individual librarians may develop one to share new ideas

and thoughts on anything regarding libraries.

Grok

A grok is an online advanced search engine that can be used to find information.

Have you ever heard of                   MEEBO? With the development of Meebo, instant messaging was changed in two ways: •Meebo can connect all of your IM networks to one interface. •There is no need to install software on your computer to use Meebo which is free!

How might libraries use IM? •Libraries use IM to answer customers online questions in a prompt fashion. •IMs also allow libraries to show customers they are able to be interactive which is important in today's world.

What is podcasting?

Public libraries might use podcasting to:• promote themselves by introducing available

services. • for children's story hour. • to revisit an author's visit. • to showcase a variety of books and new

materials available.

RSSoStandard for syndication of web content

oAn XML-based format commonly used to distribute, among other things, news headlines and blog updates

oRSS ~ newspaper subscription

oLook for this --->

RSS

Firefox’s RSS feature

RSS

A stand-alone RSS reader

RSS

The blog being distributed with RSS

acebookoPopular social networking site (SNS)oOver 200 million usersoOpen to everyone, for freeoFastest growing demographic group: 35 and

olderoUsers have access

people/groups/organizations they’ve “friended” or “become fans” of

oUsers post updates with information about themselves or their organizations

Facebook and the libraryoOrganizational Facebook profiles blocked in

2006oReinstated with the inclusion of “pages”oAllows libraries to promote themselves,

services and programsoAllows communication between patrons and

staff via “wall” posts, messages, etc.

oCML on Facebook

Twittero Another popular social networking site (SNS)o Users post short updates (148 characters or

less) to answer the question “what are you doing right now?”

o Users can “follow” other users to subscribe to their updates

o Updates can be made via SMS text messaging, on the twitter website, and by various other means (e.g. facebook)

o "Twitter in Plain English"

Twitter

Twitter and the libraryoGood promotional tool

oShort blurbs for short attention spans and people on the go

oSimilar to RSS -- “tweets” are automatically made available

oTwittering away through ALA Midwinter

Wikis• A website to which multiple authors

have access and who work together to provide its content

• In many cases anyone can edit the information provided on wikis

Wikis and the library

• Internal wikis = staff communication, creation of knowledge bases.

• External wikis = library/patron communication

• The St. Joseph County Public Library’s Subject Guides

What does web 2.0 mean for libraries?

What does the future hold?

• Microsoft Vine   • Web 3.0

Questions?