The document discusses how Web 2.0 technologies can enhance library websites. It defines key concepts of Web 2.0 like collaboration, sharing, and user participation. It provides examples of how technologies like wikis, blogs, RSS feeds, social bookmarking, tagging, photo sharing, and video sharing can be used to improve content and services on library websites. The document concludes that Library 2.0 websites engage users by allowing them to create and interact with content in ways that break down barriers and integrate the library more fully into users' lives.

1. Impact of Web 2.0
on Library Websites
Rachel Vacek,
Candidate for
Web Services Coordinator,
University of Houston Libraries

2. Overview
• What is Web 2.0?
• Smattering of 2.0 Technologies
– How they enhance content
– Examples of how they could be used to enhance
(not replace) library services
• Characteristics of Library 2.0 Websites
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3. Web 2.0 Concepts
• Collaboration • Radical trust
• Sharing • Personal data
• Ownership • Mashup
• Wisdom of • Web-based
crowds • Perpetual
• Personalization state of being
in beta
• Self-expression
• Transparent
• Community
• Interactive
• Participation
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4. From Karen G. Schneider’s Library 2.0 Cookbook
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5. What does this mean for library websites?
• Sharing info (content) • Helping people (services)
– create – communicate in multiple
ways, 24/7
– save
– collaborate
– syndicate
– build communities
– find
– form groups
– use
– manage processes
– re-use
– pursue common interests
– mix
and endeavors
– mash-up
– learn
– repurpose
– research
– share
– capitalize on the behavior
and knowledge of others
Source: Farkas, Meredith G. Social Software in Libraries. Medford, NJ: Information Today, 2007.
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6. Wikis & Blogs
Content Services
• Better organized • Wikis - organize user
research guides, develop
• Easy to manage
manuals, policies and
• Easier for user to use procedures, and build a
• Searchable wiki for committee structure
• More current for easy staff interaction
• Can be password enabled
• Can have other tools • Blogs - communicate
placed on the pages services, discuss projects,
highlight new resources
and events, highlight
deeper parts of website
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9. RSS
Content Services
• Notify users of • Blog/Feed for each
changes, quickly and discipline
automatically • Alert services and
• Helps users keep feeds from databases
current • OPML groups of
• Ability to share even related feeds for each
more information when topic
people are subscribed
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10. Social Bookmarking
Content Services
• Collecting knowledge • Add del.icio.us
together, online and in bookmark links within
one location wiki research guides
• Tags added to • Let users easily
bookmarks bookmark pages, share
with others, find similar
• Can easily be seached
links
• Lead more people back
to library
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12. Social Tagging
Content Services
• User-supplied • Implement tagging in
terminology used for OPAC, on research
finding things guides, other online
(folksonomy) tools
• Helps visually • Could tagging be used
represent important to enhance federated
ideas, concepts, words searching?
(as in tag clouds)
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13. Picture Sharing
Content
• Pictures can often convey
something more clearly than words
Services (or why use a tool like Flickr)
• To highlight new materials
• To show the faces in the library
• To highlight and promote services
• To create a presence in the site
itself
• To create an easy virtual tour for
users and staff
• To store and use images for wikis
& blogs
• To share with others what your
users are doing in the library
• To share the library's history
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14. Video Sharing
Content
• More dynamic,
interactive content
• Not just text on a page
• Engage users visually
and audibly
• Avoid having to
reinvent the wheel
every time
Services
• Video tutorials, guided
tours, podcasts
• Integrate videos on
website
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15. APIs
Mashups
• Take advantage of
developer tools from
Amazon, LibraryThing,
Google, etc.
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16. SMS and Instant Messaging
Content
• Users can use what they
already have and are
familiar with – chat clients
and cell phones
Services
• Chat reference
• Chat with circulation
• Could replace desk phone
with cell or smartphone to
interact easier and be more
mobile
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17. Characteristics of Library 2.0 Websites
• People and information are connected
• Barriers are eliminated
• Website is more open, transparent, easy to use and
contribute to
• Library services are more integrated into users’
daily lives
• Library website has a self-service feel, and is 24/7
• Familiar and new technologies are used to
enhance user experience
• Library website serves as an information guide and
trusted source
• Users can recommend, suggest, review, tag, rate –
interact with website on all levels
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18. Characteristics of Library 2.0 Websites
• Site is in perpetual beta (and this is okay!)
• Collective intelligence is harnessed, not blocked
• Services and content extend beyond the desktop, beyond a
single device, to cell phones, mobile devices, and whatever
else the future brings
• Users are engaged because they can create content, give
feedback, participate, and be part of a community
• Maintenance process and other aspects are automated
• A balance is struck between personalization and privacy
• Growth of site and services is viral, so grow services that
users like and use
• Users are empowered
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19. Thanks!
Rachel Vacek
vacekrae@gmail.com