Lib 2.0 applications in library activities and services

1. Use of Web 2.0/ Library 2.0 tools
to enhance library services
Dr. P. K. Tripathy
Librarian, RIE (NCERT), Bhopal

2. Web?
• Hyperlinked documents available in Internet to make it a big
library.
• The documents may be available in websites, blogs, wikis,
institutional repositories/archieves, databases, movie/photo
sharing sites, slide sharing sites, social networking sites, social
book marking sites or any other.
• All documents are accessible through one tool that is Search
Engine.

3. Web 1 to Web 3
• Web 1.0 (50KB bandwidth)
– Collection of websites.
– Information were available in webpages and users could only view those
webpages. One way inf. communication.
• Dot.com boom
– Internet-based companies commonly referred to as dot-coms.
– They do most of their business on the Internet.
• Web 2.0 (1mb bandwidth)
– Full-fledged computing platform for user.
– Dot.com supporting the free existence of web 2 platform.
– Get grate or get lost is the mantra of Dot.com
• Web 3.0 (10mb bandwidth) full video web semantic web
– The Web [in which computers] become capable of analysing all the data on the Web – the
content, links, and transactions between people and computers.

4. Web 2 Features
• “Web 2.0 is based on wisdom of crowds” (Stephen Abram, 2007)
• “Web 2.0 is an attitude not a technology” (Ian Davis, 2005).
• “Web 1.0 took people to information, Web 2.0 will take information to the
people” (Ian Davis, 2005).
• Features
– A technology, service, meme, or entity that leverages, contributes, or
describes the transformation of the web into a platform for services.
– Not a web of textual publication, but a web of multi-sensory
communication.
– A matrix of dialogues, not a collection of monologues.
– Allows little scope for user interaction and participation.
– Web 2.0 is the network as platform, spanning all connected devices
– A platform enabling the utilization of distributed services
– A phenomenon describing the transformation of the web from a
publication medium to a platform for distributed services.

5. Open Web 2
• Technically open (open architecture, open source software, open
standards) with appropriate APIs (Application Programming
Interface).
• Socially open, with privileges granted to utilize and
generate contents by anyone from anywhere at
anytime.
– Technically and socially open system by using distributed
network (as platform).

6. • Paste Library website picture

7. Libary 2.0/Lib 2 ?
• Web 2.0 + Library = Library 2.0
• The term ‘Library 2.0’ was first used in 2005 by Michael Casey
• “Web 2.0 and libraries are well suited for marriage, and many
librarians have recognized so.” (Jack Maness, 2006).
• “The application of interactive, collaborative and multi media web
based technologies to web based library services and collection”
(Maness, 2006).
• When “Web 2.0” is combined with library services, it is
transformed in to “Lib 2.0” as the application of interactive,
collaborative and multimedia based technology for library
services and collection.

8. Lib 2 Features
• It is user-centered. Users participate in the creation of the
content and services they view within the library's web-
presence, OPAC, etc.
• It provides a multi-media experience. Both the
collections and services of Library 2.0 contain video and audio
components.
• It is socially rich. There are both synchronous (e.g. IM) and
asynchronous (e.g. wikis) ways for users to communicate with
one another and with librarians.
• It is communally innovative. It is understood that as
communities change, libraries must not only change with
users, they must allow users to change the library.

9. Library 1.0 to Library 2.0
Lib 1.0 Lib 2.0
Email reference/Q&A pages Chat reference
Text-based tutorials Streaming media tutorials with interactive
databases
Email mailing lists, webmasters Blogs, wikis, RSS feeds
Controlled classification schemes Tagging coupled with controlled schemes
OPAC Personalized social network interface
Catalog of largely reliable print and Catalog of reliable and suspect holdings,
electronic holdings web-pages, blogs, wikis, etc.

10. Lib 2 Technologies
• These technologies are from Web 2
• Level 1 technologies
– Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) Ajax is one tool of choice for
creating interactive pages with easily changeable components.
– API (Application Programming Interface) is a software communication
interface, which allows different software to communicate with each
other.
– Mashup is a hybrid web application that uses content from other Web
applications to create a new complete content.
– P2P (Peer-to-peer) this involves a network without fixed clients or servers.
– RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a data format used to syndicate or
distribute contents to subscribers of a website.
– XML (Extended Markup Language) is a standard for the exchange of
information structured between different platforms.

11. Lib 2 Technologies…
• Level 2 technologies
– Social Networks. These are "web services" that allow
individuals to create a public or semi-public profile within
the online platform and share among other members.
– Blogs: A periodically updated website that compiles texts
or articles from one or several authors in chronological
order and allows readers to write comments.
– Wiki : A type of website where users create, edit, delete
or change content; this is an interactive, easy and quick
way to make a webpage.
– Social BookMarks: Allow to share personal lists of
"favourites" via a public web page, so that other users can
participate collaboratively in creating the list of common
links and classify of the website.

12. Lib 2 Tools & Library Services
• The Library systems as well as services are greatly
influenced by the Web 2 technologies.
• As Web 2 technologies are service in nature so
suitable to be integrated with library services.
• Major Web 2 tools applied in library are discussed
ahead:

13. Blogs/Blogging
• A website like for quick and popular way to share information with the world.
• They are online tools for users to publish content on the Internet.
• They allow people to publish text, images, audio and videos online.
• In the blog RSS Feed, Comment, Archiving, design templates are provided automatically.
• Users do not need to know how to code in HTML in order to manage or publish a blog.
• Microblogging (Twitter) service users to send and read text-based messages of up to 140
characters.
Some popular free blog services
• Blogger - http://www.blogger.com
• LiveJournal - http://www.livejournal.com
• Wordpress - http://www.wordpress.com
How to search for blogs (some search engines )
• Bloglines - http://www.bloglines.com
• Google Blog Search - http://blogsearch.google.com
• Technorati - http://technorati.com

14. Blogging services in library
• Providing resources and information to users.
• Allowing users to post requisitions, comments,
suggestions, etc.
• Provide Library instruction to users
• Support Staff Communication
• Posting library notices for users
• Posting Breaking News
• Display new arrival of books and journals.
• Involving users by creating communities of their
interests.

15. Library blogs: How much
participatory?
• Moreover, the library weblogs do not contribute to what has
become known as "content creation" and the "participatory
Web”.
• In fact, the cases where library weblogs include patron
comments are rare, despite the fact that the user comments
feature is enabled in many libraries' weblogs.
• Content editing is not easily possible.
• Exemplary Library blogs:
– http://wellesleylibrary.blogspot.com
– http://liswiki.org/wiki/Weblogs
– http://www.aadl.org/
– http://bib.us.es/index-ides-idweb.html
– RIEmysorelibrary

16. Wikis
• Wikis are essentially open web-pages, where
anyone registered with the wiki can publish to
it, amend it, and change it.
• Writely.com: A free online word processor
through which users can create contents,
format contents, spell check, change fonts and
font size, place images in documents, and also
upload & download documents.
• Wikipedia is the example of wiki.

17. Library Wikis
Some potential uses of Wikis in libraries include:
• Creating collaborative spaces for users to generate and
update information.
• Promoting professional development with the creation
of forums to exchange ideas on specific areas.
• An internal communication medium for sharing
information amongst the library's staff.
• Managing the library's web content, even though this is
not the most effective and efficient medium
• All kinds of information services can be given to users.
• It can be an alternative to blog.

18. • Shortcomings of library Wikis
– Library wikis are just used like websites
– Membership required for editing
– Photos, videos, etc. are not easily possible to upload.
• Exemplary wikis
– http://www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/bizwiki/index.
php/Main_Page
– http://librarywikis.pbwiki.com
– http://library2.usask.ca/~fichter/wiki

19. RSS feeds
• RSS Feeds (also called RSS, News Feeds, Feeds,
Site Feed, XML Feed etc.)
• RSS (Really Simple Syndication / automatic
information feed) allows users (after
subscribing) to receive any new content added
by a website, thus avoiding the necessity of
continually visiting sites to check for updates.
• It acts like daily newspaper delivery at door
step, instead of daily purchasing from shop.

20. Uses of RSS in libraries
Some possible uses of RSS include:
• Implementing RSS for OPAC with the aim of automatically
seeing the latest books in the catalogue.
• A tool to broadcast the library's activities.
• Dissemination of the contents of new journals issues arrived
to the library.
• Providing SDI services related to the users' topics of interests.
• Informing changes to the library's schedule, new acquisitions,
library renovations, exhibitions, event promotion, etc.

21. Shortcomings of Library RSS
• RSS reader installation is required in the users
computers.
• Anywhere - anytime this service can not be used.
• Periodic updating of RSS reader is required.
• All kinds of users can not use this service.
Exemplary Library RSS sites:
http://library.nyu.edu/feeds
http://www.rss4lib.com

22. Social Networking Software (SNS)
“The Library is human“
• Popular SNS are MySpace, Facebook , Linkedin
Del.icio.us, Frappr, and Flickr, on which social
networks are formed.
• Allows users to set up interactive and personalized
web profiles detailing personal information like;
education, age, interests, and hobbies.
• Users can upload photographs, videos, and music,
create a blog, post comments on other user profile
pages, and send messages to other users.

23. Library on Social Networking Sites
• Developed as library web portal
• Used for library services promotion
• Extension of Library website (attached to websites)
• Catalogue or Database search (if WebOPAC attached with these
sites)
• Open Sources apps and services can be attached library social
networking site.
• Library information services, notices, updates, messages, etc. can
be easily circulated among users.
• Library reference services can be provided.
• Acts as alternative to RSS feed.
• Allows users to form special sub-groups.

24. Shortcomings of Library Social
Networks
• One needs to be a member of the Library network.
• Library network as a public domain, private
companies take the profile details of the members
for commercial use.
• Social networking communities are being misused by
anti-social elements.
Exemplary sites:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2380333929
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-British-Library/8579062138
RIE bhopal library

25. Chat Reference/Instant Messaging
• It is synchronous messaging
• Chat reference service has been called real-time reference, live online
reference, synchronous online reference, virtual reference, and chat
reference. Chat reference is "a two-way conversation in real time, very
much like talking to a reference librarian in person. Chat users can receive
immediate feedback”.
• Users can communicate with other users real-time, over the Internet.
• Communication is either through text, audio, video, or a combination.
• Some services include file sharing, transferring of files.
• Now audio and video messaging is becoming more common through video
conferencing software like Skype and others.
• Chat reference can use free software such as Internet Relay Chat (IRC),
Instant Messaging (IM), Skype, etc.

26. Chat reference in libraries
• Libraries have begun employing it to provide “chat reference
services” where user can synchronously communicate with
librarian, experts much as they would in a face to face
reference context.
• They often allow co-browsing, file sharing, screen capturing
and data sharing, etc.
• They can use CAS and SDI services.
• Virtual reference service for providing online reference for
research questions from student and faculty.

27. Shortcomings
• Hardware like webcam, headphone, microphone etc. are
required to be installed.
• Software installation is required.
• Chatting competency as well as reference knowledge are
required with the library staff.
• Exemplary sites:
– http://www.library.american.edu/ask/im.html

28. Social Bookmarking
• Social bookmarking service allows users to
store their bookmarks online. Favourite
bookmarks can be described, tagged,
collaboratively shared, and searched for by
others.
• (del.icio.us is currently the most popular
service in this category).

29. Social Bookmarking in Libraries
• Simplifying bibliographic distribution lists: library users can
describe them by providing specialised knowledge.
• Elaborating link services recommended from specific fields of
knowledge.
• Sharing resources with other library users who are using them
for research.
• Promoting participation and interactive with library users.
• http://groups.diigo.com/groups/bookmarking_libraries
• http://tags.library.upenn.edu

30. Tags and Folksonomies
• This feature of Web 2.0 is fully applicable in library
services.
• Folksonomy is the name given to a collection of tags,
effectively a “bottom-up” user generated taxonomy as
opposed to an authoritative top down hierarchical
taxonomy like LC Subject Headings.
• Tagging is essentially Web 2.0 because it allows users to
add and change not only content (data), but content
describing content (metadata).
• Tagging essentially enables users to create subject
headings for the object at hand.

31. Tags and Folksonomies…
• What is tagged catalogue
– U.S. Library of Congress's Subject Heading "cookery," which no
English speaker would use when referring to "cookbooks," illustrates
the problem of standardized classification.
– Tagging would turn the useless "cookery" to the useful "cookbooks"
instantaneously, and lateral searching would be greatly facilitated.
– In Flickr, users tag pictures. In LibraryThing, they tag books. In Library
2.0, users could tag the library's collection and thereby participate in
the cataloging process.
– This tagged catalogue is an open catalogue, a customized user
centered catalogue.

32. LibraryThing
• LibraryThing: is another system that allows externalising social
characteristics on library catalogues.
• It enables users to catalog their books and view what other users share
those books.
• The catalog of Library 2.0 would enable users to follow both standardized
and user-tagged subjects; whichever makes most sense to them.
• They can add tags to resources. This tagged catalog is an open catalog, a
customized, user-centered catalog. It is library science at its best.
• Allows users to catalogue their books and share lists with each other.
Librarians and patrons can thereby interact and recommend their
resources to each other. Members can view book cover images, comment,
recommend and review books, form special interest groups, enter DDC
number, rearrange books on virtual shelves, and add star rating of books.
• http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/LTFL:Libraries_using_LibraryThing_for_Lib
raries

33. Google Docs
• Google has created a suite of online tools that helps users create documents,
presentations and spreadsheets online.
• Features of Google Docs
– Users can create, save, access and work on documents without the need for software .
– Users can import an existing Word, Excel or PowerPoint file to start editing it
individually or with a team.
– Documents can be downloaded in multiple formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint
or PDF. They can also be sent as email attachments.
– Documents can be published online as a view-only copy. Viewers can only read the
document but they cannot edit it.
• Some library services like New Arrival Lists, Current Contents, Special bibliographies,
Library statistics, library rules, etc. can be hosted in Google Doc platform.
(http://docs.google.com )

34. Other Lib 2 Apps
• Podcasts & Webcasts: Podcasting is simply making
audio files (most commonly in MP3 format) available online
so that users can then download them to their desktop media
player .
– (users need a podcatcher, a piece of software that allows downloading
podcast episodes via a RSS feed).
– Offering podcasts of library instruction (or audio-guided tours of the
library) could be another example.
• Streaming media: Streaming of video and audio media
is another application. Library instruction and orientation
programs can be run online with the use of streaming
media.

35. Other Lib 2 Apps…
• Flickr & Picasa: A photo sharing service that allows users
to upload, share, comment on, and categorize photographs.
Users can label photographs using “tags” or keywords
(effectively subject indexing but without a controlled
vocabulary).
– Event: annual symposium, Library Function, Book Sale photos can be
shared with library users.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/asulibraries/sets/72157601621243043/
• Jumpcut: Gives users access to free editing tools that allow them
upload, edit, remix and publish video footage.

36. Other Lib 2 Apps…
• YouTube: Allows users to upload, tag, watch, rate, review,
view, and blog video footage, and even create play lists.
(www.youtube.com)
– Library virtual tour, orientation, library guides, introduction
etc. can be videographed and uploaded to YouTube site for
remote users.
• SlideShare: This service has been likened to “YouTube for
Presentations”. (www.slideshare.net )

37. Weakness of Library 2.0
• An excessive dependence on external resources.
• The possibility that the 2.0 service may not continue, since it
may require an inaccessible infrastructure.
• Too much importance on user participation. Chance of abuse
is more.
• Most services (blogs, social bookmarks, repositories) are
based on the use of RDBMS (MySql and PHP for the
presentation of dynamic pages), which does not help to the
information retrieval.
• The application of few usability and accessibility criteria may
pose problems for users when they access information.

38. Coclusion
The Lib 2 environment enabled any type of library to
provide Virtual services. No management interference, no
financial involvements, only with the personal efforts of
librarian the library can come to the virtual world.

39. Thank you