Part 1: Evaluative Statement

Web 2.0, social networking, library 2.0 and participatory library service – Concept theory and practice

Web 2.0 is an all-embracing term for anything from RSS, social networking, blogs, wikis, video, image sharing, folksonomies, open source software and a host of other tools and applications (Parkes & Walton, 2010 p xi.). This INF206 Online learning journal (OLJ) explores many of these technologies and their influence on library 2.0 and participatory library service models.

Experience three (3) The A to Z of social networking, provided an opportunity to practically consider exactly which web 2.0 technologies and attitudes would best create a library 2.0 ethos. Attitudes Active and Zeal, paramount to the nature of web 2.0, and a combination of mobile technology, social networking and multimedia, were selected with current user trends in mind, in order to align with the elements of Library 2.0, defined by Casey and Savastinuk (2007) as a participatory user driven service model, of constant and purposeful change, reaching out to current and potential library users.

Identifying the social networking functions of web-based services is demonstrated in experience one (1) Delicious, where features to collaborate, share and network with others are identified. This assessment of features is support by Boyd and Ellison’s (2007), as in Griffey (2010 p. 34), definition and criteria of social networking sites.

Web 2.0 technologies and social software – Types and functions

Library 2.0 services are about building change around the needs of users, identifying which web 2.0 tools best suit these needs requires critical examination and evaluation of their features and functions (Casey & Savastinuk 2007 p.24).

Experience one (1) examines the effectiveness of Delicious without the downloadable tool bar feature. The benefits of storing bookmarks online, providing access from any location, is reliant on the user tagging those items initially. The numerous steps involved for bookmarking manually were identified as a concern for effective usability.

Experience two (2): Second Life: a virtual world, documents a first-hand experience in using the functions and features of Second Life (SL). The SL interface was identified as difficult to manipulate and was found to be a set-back in effective usability, as was the hardware required for social interaction. However consideration should be given to the level of experience at which SL was evaluated, as the critical examination of features is drawn from judgements made at a novice experience level. Farkas (2007) identifies functions and feature yet to be experienced and evaluated, including online newspapers and virtual people selling virtual items.

Making Web 2.0 work for your organisation

Library 2.0 takes the tools of Web 2.0 and moves them into a library setting to support the informational and collaborative needs of workgroups, communities and organisations (Sodt & Summey, 2009 p.97).

Social networking technologies host many beneficial initiatives for workgroups and organisations, however ICT capacity and an evaluation of the social networking tools should be considered before implementation to ensure needs are met. Experiences one (1) and two (2), evaluate the usability and features of Delicious and SL against user needs and identify how these tools may be applied to a library environment. Experience one (1) suggests using delicious as a central bookmarking tool, as the evaluation identified current bookmarking methods as out dated in comparison. Experience two (2) recommends moving current methods used for conferencing, training and team building forward into the virtual world environment, as it is believed this will extend the current experiences in social networking.

User-centred experience is at the core of social networking technologies, therefore the application of Web2.0 library services will be ultimately determined by the community (Casey and Savastinuk, 2007). The OLJ experiences suggest how technologies can be applied for users such as bookgroups and conversation partners in SL, focus group bookmarking in delicious and a Facebook fan page. These recommendations are relevant to the current user community, however consistent evaluation of user needs and trends is recommended.

Social networking and information policy

Experience two (2) SL, identifies the issue of equal access, as users are required to have sufficient bandwidth and a compatible PC to run the software. Consideration of issues such the digital divide, are essential when implementing social networking services especially in regional areas.

Technical management issues are not always evident when implementing social networking services. In the case of Delicious (experience one), the issue of hosting services through third party open source software, and the potential for closure overnight, emerged when Yahoo! announced they were selling the property (Tsotsis, 2010).

Social media/networking policy can help to protect against and support these issues and more. Experience three (3) reports on library staff using their personal account to promote library services, here information policy would provide ground rules and guidelines for employees in their professional and personal online activity (Kroski, 2009). Information policy can also be used as a guide for users in the appropriate and acceptable use of the libraries online services such as a Facebook page.

References:

Brown, A., L. (2010). ‘A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries’. Retrieved 10 December, 2010, from http://socialnetworkinglibrarian.com/2010/01/22/a-to-z-of-social-networking-for-libraries/

Casey, M., E. & Savastinuk, L., C. (2007). Library 2.0: a guide to participatory library service. New Jersey: Information Today

Farkas, M., G. (2007). Social Software in Libraries. New Jersey: Information Today

Griffey, J. (2010). Chapter 5: Social networking and the library. Library Technology Reports, 46(8), 34-37.

Kroski, E. (2009). Should your library have a social media policy?. Retrieved 22 January, 2011, from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6699104.html