Library 2.0 : Service for the next-generation library

This is a review of an article by M. Casey and L. Savastinuk from the Library Journal, 9/1/2006. The article is entitled Library 2.0, service for the next-generation library. Casey and Savastinuk present the view that the Library today is in a state of change. The two major reasons for this change have been funding matters and user demands. The services offered by Libraries are changing. Casey and Savastinuk put in plain words how library services are developing from the introduction of Web 2.0 and are being known as Library 2.0.

Casey and Savastinuk suggest that Library 2.0 is any library service that is centred on customer needs. They claim that technology that has become available in recent times, known as Web 2.0, is being used in an endeavour to focus the Library service on customer needs. The authors’ explain that while the majority of the population do not use traditional library services, this technology is allowing the Library to reach out to those non-library users. The authors’ point of view is that Library 2.0 is essentially a library service that allows customer collaboration. The customer is able to adapt the service to meet his own needs and the Library regularly seeks and responds to feedback from the customer. Library 2.0 is about services that promote customer participation. Garcia states, “…the term not only encompasses the transition to technology-driven services but reflects the move to a more participatory and interactive model for service delivery” (Garcia 2008, p.36).

This article also presents some valid concerns by Librarians, in particular with regard to ILS (Intergrated Library System) Vendors who may seek to gain advantage in the collaborative environment of Library 2.0. The new technology that is helping create Library 2.0 may also create problems. O'Conner states, "..libraries used to operate in a monopoly environment, but now there are other businesses and options for their clients" (O'Conner, 2007 p. 69). However, Casey & Savastinuk acknowledge that although this technology is a part of Library 2.0, it is also more than this technology. Casey & Savastinuk inform the reader that not all Libraries are in a position to have a large staff of IT people to develop and implement new Library 2.0 facilities. Library 2.0 is the movement that is happening in the Library, whereby services are centred on the customer. Even a traditional type of service offered by a Library could be considered Library 2.0 if it has some of the essential elements. The service offered must seek customer collaboration to meet the customer's needs. The customer should be able to contribute to the service. The service must be constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the customer. Feedback must be frequently sought and appropriate responses implemented to optimise customer satisfaction. These are the ingredients for a Library 2.0 service.

Casey and Savastinuk have clearly detailed the current changes and directions happening in the Library of today. They have demonstrated the model of what makes a Library service defined as Library 2.0. Looking at this article it can be seen that Library 2.0 is the way of the future for the Library. People today are attracted by the collaborative nature of Web 2.0 technology and it makes sense to offer these popular facilities in Library services. Therefore, to be competitive in this environment, the Library must create and offer services that contain this collaborative type model which contain the essential elements mentioned earlier. This article is a very useful read for anyone studying Librarianship. It is written in language that is not too technical and gives a good overview of what is meant by Library 2.0.

Reference List

Casey M. E. & Savastinuk. L. C. (2006). Library 2.0: Service for the next-generation library. [Electronic Version]. Library Journal. 9/1. Retrieved August 1, 2008 from
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html?q=Library+2%2E0

Garcia, J. (2008, February). Library 2.0. The next chapter.
Government News. 36-38.

O'Connor, A. (2007). Special libraries and information services. In S. Ferguson (Ed.) Libraries in the twenty-first century : charting new directions in information services. (pp. 59-73). Wagga Wagga, NSW: Centre for Information Studies, Charles Sturt University.

User collaboration in websites

This is a review of a paper presented by Judith Pearce in Framing the Future, ARLIS/ANZ Conference on 21-23 September 2006. The paper is entitled, "User collaboration in websites". In writing this article Pearce seems to be aiming to educate and inform. Pearce reveals how the National Library of Australia is embracing Web 2.0 technology. The article details how services of the NLA, one being Picture Australia and the other Australia Dancing, are using the technology known as Web 2.0. Pearce also looks briefly at the People Australia Service suggesting that this will need to change.

Pearce's work allows one to draw the conclusion that Web 2.0 is about users contributing and sharing information. O'Reilly states that "The central principle behind the success of the giants born in the Web 1.0 era who have survived to lead the Web 2.0 era appears to be this, that they have embraced the power of the web to harness collective intelligence (O'Reilly, 2005 p.3). The Internet is now interactive and collaborative. Pearce claims that users are now the creators of the databases. Pearce identifies a number of websites that clearly demonstrate the Web 2.0 model of collaboration. Examples such as Wikipedia, Amazon, Google, Flickr and Blogger are used to demonstrate this. The article describes how users are contributing data, adding tags, comments, ratings and reviews to these websites. Users are able to download from these sites as well. This Blog, CSU Subject INF215, has examples of user collaboration. Note on the Blog the Survey included and the links to other Blogs. Pearce advises that an important point to note is services are generally free. This Blog was created by the author, free of charge.

Pearce goes on to make clear how the NLA has implemented this technology in an effort to remain relevant in this digital age. The NLA has embarked upon two projects. Through the Flickr Pilot Project, the Library now offers its Picture Australia service, a database of mainly historical images. The NLA's Flickr Pilot Project is allowing the Library to increase the number of images and access a wider audience. The NLA has noted that the project has increased its collection of topical images. An unexpected result has been the increase of heritage images. There has been a remarkable increase in use of Picture Australia. The NLA plans to investigate ways to promote this growth. The slide show contained on this Blog you are reading is linked from Flickr.

This article details how the NLA service, Dance Australia is using Web 2.0 technologies. Dance Australia is a directory service of dance related resources. It also contains links to other sites. Dance Australia is using a Wiki. A Wiki is a website where users are able to add or edit information. Pearce explains that Dance Australia contains a link to its "Take Part" program whereby participants may contribute data using the Wiki. Users can upload text and images, make comments, or edit pages that others may have contributed. As soon as this Wiki was on the Web users began contributing. Many users noted that they were not listed on Dance Australia. Pearce informs readers that studies are available that suggest Wikis are not "Authoritive" sources. O'Reilly states, "Wikipedia is already in the top 100 websites, and many think it will be in the top ten before long. This is a profound change in the dynamics of content creation?" (O'Reilly, 2005 p.3) A link to Wikipedia is contained on this Blog. Theoretically, I could access the pages on Wikipedia for Brain Surgery, and edit this information. I assure you I am not a Brain Surgeon. Pearce suggests a model for Dance Australia, as being a Wiki that has Registered Users and is Peer Reviewed. Pearce claims that Dance Australia will need to embrace Web 2.0 to meet user needs.

Finally, Pearce gives an overview of a new People Australia service. Its function is to improve the National Name Authority File. Using Web 2.0, identities themselves will collaborate with experts such as Cataloguers, and be able to clear up discrepancies within the database. Pearce has provided an excellent article to educate and inform. The language is not technical and the use of examples help gain an understanding of what Web 2.0 is about. I would recommend this article to anyone wishing to learn about Web 2.0.

Reference List

O'Reilly, T. (2005). What is Web 2.0. Designs, patterns and business models for the next generation of software. Retrieved August 1, 2008 from http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html?page=3

Pearce, J. (2006). User collaboration in websites. Staff Papers. This paper was presented at Framing the Future, ARLIS/ANZ Conference, 21-23 September. Retrieved August 1, 2008 from http://www.nla.gov.au/nla/staffpapers/2006/jpearce1.thml