Web 2.0 features in university library web sites

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore recent trends in the application of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 features as exemplified through university library web sites around the world.Design/methodology/approachThe top 100 universities from the ranked list of 200 provided on the Times Higher Education web site were considered for collection of data and from this list a selection was made of 57 of these universities. This selection was based on whether the site was in English and whether it had at least one Web 2.0 feature. For each of these universities their web sites were visited and data on their Web 2.0 features (such as Blogs, RSS, Instant Messaging, Wikis and the like) were collected and analyzed.FindingsResults reveal that 37 university libraries use RSS feeds for dissemination of library news, events and announcements and 15 university libraries provide blog space for users. Whereas wiki is the least applied Web 2.0 technology, with only one university using it, Instant Messaging is another most widely applied feature with 37 libraries already providing reference service through it. Podcast (used in three libraries) and Vidcast (used in six libraries) are yet to become popular facilities to be offered in university library web sites.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on the university ranking for 2007, as the World Top 200 Universities 2008 was not published until October 2008 when this article was being finalized. However, this does not affect the outcome of the Web 2.0 features being utilized by the universities.Originality/valueMost of the earlier studies on the subject deal with Web 2.0 tools and how they could be used in the library context. The present paper, however, provides concrete evidence of the application of Web 2.0 in university libraries. As such it should prove of interest to all types of libraries, even though its context is university libraries.

Using mobile technologies for social media based library services at the University of Development Studies Library, Ghana

“… Wikis are used in academic libraries inter alia to develop subject guides and archive past reference questions or queries on library services. Wikis are also used for promoting and managing internally produced resources such as committee minutes, procedures, rules, policies and so forth (Chua and Goh, 2010;Harinarayana and Raju, 2010;Mahmood and Richardson, 2011 (Harinarayana and Raju , 2010;Mahmood and Richardson, 2011).  Subject librarians can also utilize professional Social Networking sites such as LinkedIn, Researchgate, Academia.edu and so forth for professional networking and communication with clients and thereby create their own professional identities within the academic environment.…”

“… Subject librarians can also utilize professional Social Networking sites such as LinkedIn, Researchgate, Academia.edu and so forth for professional networking and communication with clients and thereby create their own professional identities within the academic environment.  Podcasts are applications that can enhance information dissemination, for example, to deliver information on library services and to give tutorials to clients on the use of library resources such as the library catalogue (Harinarayana and Raju, 2010).  Instant Messaging (IM) are applications that allow for real time communication.…”

“… Instant Messaging (IM) are applications that allow for real time communication. Many academic libraries use IM to enhance their reference service delivery processes because they allow them to respond instantly to enquiries from their clients (Chua and Goh, 2010;Harinarayana and Raju, 2010).…”

Assessing the appropriation of social media by academic librarians in South Africa and Zimbabwe

“…Three major purposes for social media adoption in academic libraries are identified in the literature and discussed below. Harinarayana and Raju (2010) maintain that social media technologies are becoming increasingly popular for use in academic libraries' marketing strategies. Social media tools have assisted university libraries in the promotion of information services to their patrons (Makori 2011: 35).…”

A Study on the use of Facebook, RSS, Blogs and Twitter (Web2.0) among selected academic libraries from 6 Gulf countries namely: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait

“…Harinarayana and Raju (2010) explored the application of social media tools by university libraries web sites (Harinarayana & Raju, 2010). They discovered that out of 57 universities sampled from Times Higher Education web site, 37 (65%) of them used RSS for releasing information to users on news, events and announcements (Harinarayana & Raju, 2010).…”