Library 2.0 : Innovative Technologies for Building Libraries of Tomorrow*
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Date
2009-01-29
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INFLIBNET Centre
Abstract
The concept of Library 2.0 is borrowed from that of Web 2.0 and Business
2.0 and follows some of the same underlying philosophies. Library 2.0
encompasses a range of new and contemporary technological tools and
techniques that are used for evolving collaborative environment required for
Library 2.0. These tools and techniques can broadly be grouped into five
categories, i.e. i) Synchronous Communication: Instant messaging; ii) Content
Delivery: RSS Feed, HTML Feed, Streaming Media, Podcasting, Vodcasting
and SMS Enquiry Services; iii) Collaborative Publishing Tools: Blogs and Wikis;
iv) Collaborative Service Platforms: Social Networks, Tagging, Social
Bookmarking Services; and v) Hybrid Applications, Programs and Programming
Tools: Mashups, AJAX, API and Toolbar. These tools and techniques are
useful for libraries in providing new services and making existing services
available in new and interesting ways. Implementation of some of these
tools and techniques are likely to improve reputation and standing of libraries
in the community. Some of them may successfully attract new patrons to
the library, others may help to retain existing members or make libraries
even more important as centres of the culture and history of their cities and
academic institutions. Some of the new services may remain unused, however,
since feedback and public opinion is a vital component of Library 2.0, such
services may be abandoned in favour of other services that are better
accepted by the users. Some of those changes may be viewed as disruptive,
while others may not be feasible or applicable to all libraries. These new
services and ongoing changes are likely to make libraries more interesting,
more relevant, and better acceptable place.Library 2.0 proposes to bring revolutionary changes in libraries that are
bound to bring about conceptual, cultural and physical changes in libraries to
keep pace with the changes in communities and their information seeking
behaviour. Applications of Web 2.0 technologies in libraries will result in a
meaningful and substantive change in libraries, its collection, services and
methods of delivery of services. The library’s collection will change, becoming
more interactive and fully accessible. The library’s services will change, focusing
more on the facilitation of information transfer and information literacy rather
than providing controlled access to it. The implications of these revolutionary
technologies are enormous and are discussed in the paper.
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Keywords
Library 2.0, Web 2.0, Business 2.0, Instant Messaging (IM), RSS Feeds, HTML Feeds, Streaming Media, Podcasting, Vodcasting, SMS Enquiry Service, Blogs, Social Networks, Tagging, Social Bookmarking Services, Mashups, Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), wikis