CILIP | web2feedback

Web 2.0 in your library

A talk by Dr. Martin De Saulles (University of Brighton) at University Centre Hastings on 7/11/2007

More than 30 listened as Martin presented an interesting and entertaining talk on a subject that is exercising the minds of all Library staff. Following a short introduction about himself, he swiftly moved onto a definition of Web 2.0. He then explained how the Internet was facilitating the move away from running Applications on the local hard discs of our computers to them being run via the Web browser, with the associated data also being stored remotely. Whilst this gave personal freedom, it also posed problems of security, ownership and control. The comparison of Web 2.0 with Web 1.0 was interesting, showing not only how personal websites were giving way to blogging, but also the rise of the “Wiki” etc..
He then posed the question, “So what about Library 2.0”? Martin answered this by showing that it was not just about using the Web to offer Library services, it was also about creating a dialogue with users and becoming user focused. He warned about only using the technology if it helps: find out what your users want so that you do not implement tools that will not be used.
He explained that we now live in a world of Mobile technology with faster connections than ever before. The swift rise of Facebook, compared with the DVD, Internet etc., was clearly illustrated in a graph showing the accelerating adoption of a new technology. A surprise was the information from a recent Student survey: 40% of the respondents do not download podcasts: less than 2% take part in an online communities, such as Second life: more than 75% use Social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace – 94% of the students have a Facebook profile.
Using a number of examples, he showed how Libraries are using Web services. These varied from the Blogs to Facebook, Podcasting to RSS and Skype, all of them reaching out to users. Although a number of the audience were very familiar with these new technologies that Martin was describing, it was good to see them in use. However, does any of this work? It would appear to be early days. There is a need for Libraries to look at what they have and to see if they are making the best use of the technology. He indicated that Library staff may find it useful to look at Blogs, Facebook, RSS and see how they work and what they can do. This will bring confidence.
Afterwards, many remarked that this was an informative talk and felt that many of their fellow colleagues would have benefited from attending. Therefore, for those who missed his talk, Martin has kindly made the slides available as a pdf on his website on the following link: http://mdesaulles.net/2007/11/08/web-20-in-your-library

Paul Benham 23/01/2008

Updated: 25 January 2008

Sussex sub-branch

Web 2.0 in your library