Digital Information Technologies Architecture
Andrew Hill
Abstract
This paper will look at web 2.0, its uses within public libraries, and how it’s changed specific aspects of public libraries and the services provided. A general overview of web 2.0 programmes is given, looking specifically at which one’s could and are being implemented within public libraries and how these programmes have changed the way in which staff and library users are interacting with one another. This paper will also look at how web 2.0 has been used to appeal to a younger audience who have been brought up around certain technologies which, without public libraries incorporating them into service, could mean losing these younger users as they don’t feel the public library to be a viable information resource in the 21st century. Security and privacy issues are also touched on, looking at how these sites which bring greater levels of free expression also bring with them a need for greater vigilance.
Introduction
Even though the technologies used in creating web 2.0 are nothing new and mainly operate through more efficient use of technologies already in place, the fact that these technologies have been used to develop sites which can be used by anyone, and not needing highly trained computer brains, means that their proliferation and effective use has been greatly enhanced. Such recent world events like the ‘Arab Spring’ and the London riots have shown the incredible ease at which communication can take place in today’s world as a result of these social networking sites; but these forms of communication are also being implemented in less dramatic areas, such as public libraries, where greater levels of communication between libraries and patrons are taking place, and advertising of library events has become much more efficient in both distribution (of messages) and costs. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Deli.cio.us, which provide a platform for users to communicate with other users and generate their own data through text and images, have completely revolutionised the way in which people communicate and retrieve information. These new forms of communication within public libraries have brought both exciting prospects and difficult challenges.
What is web 2.0?
The term has been accredited to Tim O’Reilly which he coined in 2004. He defines it as:
“Web 2.0 is the network as platform, spanning all connected devices. Web 2.0 applications are those that make the most of that platform: delivering software as a continually-updated service that gets better the more people use it, consuming and remixing data from multiple sources, including individual users, while providing their own data and services in a form that allows remixing by others, creating network effects through an ‘architecture of participation’, and going beyond the page metaphor of Web 1.0 to deliver rich user experience.” (in Floridi: O’Reilly, 2009)
Web 2.0 allows people to share and communicate information online. The content is therefore more dynamic in the sense that it’s open to manipulation from the users. It’s programming tools such as AJAX, SOAP and other XML and JavaScript applications that allow users this interaction (Kyrnin, 2008). Through this ability for users to create their own information on the web, many new forms of journalism and social commentary have arisen, potentially allowing for a more democratic news media but also calling into question the reliability of the content.
Whereas the value of a public library used to be judged on the physical resources it held, increasingly that value is taking into account the amount of new technologies implemented and also how well adapted they are to the increasing use of digital formats available to the general public outside of the library setting (Matthews, 2000).
Web 2.0, public libraries, and younger generations of users
For a while now Essex County Libraries have had in place a service called Answers Direct which allows people to chat online or post messages to a blog where information professionals are ready to answer specific questions. One of the most popular uses of this service is school children asking for help with school projects. This interactive service is typical of web 2.0 ideals and exemplifies public libraries recognition that the promotion of such services is vital in attracting younger generations of library users, showing them that their public libraries can provide them with their required information in the same way that internet usage at home can. The homogenisation of user online experience as a way to attract greater numbers of younger users to public libraries has seen extremely positive results in the United States and in particular at the New York Public library. As a result of the library incorporating web 2.0 services, such as blogs and Twitter feeds, they’ve also seen a rise in children visiting the library physically (Rowe, 2011). The loaning and usage of physical items, such as books, magazines and journals, has seen figures rise from 1% amongst young people, to 34% (in Rowe: 2011: 1). The more these children have the incentive to visit their public libraries the greater likelihood they’ll explore the other resources at their disposal, besides those residing online. Another example of this within The States, however, which shows the fine line between encouraging children to use the library and actually alienating existing customers, can be seen at Houston’s public library. The library management decided to introduce in-house gaming, where games consoles such as Playstations and Xbox could be used in the library by younger members (Rowe, 2011). Not only does this seem a reconstitution of the libraries purpose, it also risks other library users questioning whether they want to visit a place where they could be potentially disrupted form computer game playing children. Traditionalists, such as former ALA president, Michael Gorman, are worried that the over emphasising of web 2.0 and technology in general in public libraries could see them swallowed up by the very thing their competing against (Gorman, 2002).
Web 2.0 sites and their potential uses in public libraries
Below is a list of a few prominent web 2.0 sites and suggestions as to what they could bring to public libraries in terms of benefits to customers and staff:
Blogs
One of the most regular user groups within publics libraries are reading groups. At Chelmsford library in Essex, there are over twenty, and half of these have made use of the counties reading group blog, which has been set up especially for these groups to communicate with one another and give reviews and recommendations of the books they’ve been reading. The blog has created a greater sense of community within the groups and allowed them to communicate with other library users whom they might not have done otherwise (Berube, 2011).
Blogs have also been highly beneficial for both individual staff members and the libraries in Essex as whole. This platform has allowed staff to gain feedback from customers on events held in the library and on certain issues in general. It’s also allowed staff to interact with other library bloggers, within Britain but also abroad, where wider issues affecting libraries can be discussed, with possible solutions and opinions being shared.
Within these blogs, or on the library website, mashups can be created displaying images of new books which have been catalogued, where helpful tags which could alert customers to other related items, or items that other customers have viewed.
Twitter
The fact that Twitter only allows you to use a limited amount of characters means that public libraries can post short and to the point messages to their users without being accused of being too brief. It’s a perfect platform for bulletin messages, alerting customers to opening hours over holiday periods, event information and even reminding customers (not an individual basis, obviously) to renew their books.
Deli.cio.us
As a bookmarking site, Deli.cio.us would allow customers to add and collate their favourite sites without having to worry that these bookmarks will we be wiped once their session ends due to the security restrictions in some public libraries which delete any saved work once a user has logged off. This might give customers a greater sense of continuity within the library, hopefully increasing the likelihood of them wanting to build on their previous sessions (Beer & Burrows, 2007).
Flickr
A site such as Flickr would enable the libary to keep a photo diary of events in the library, allowing customers to view the pictures online in case they missed the event. If library staff members have their own blogs, they could also use certain photos (depending on privacy issues) in order to give the library wider exposure.
RSS Feeds
Being a format which is ‘fed’ to the users browsers, it would allow library members to have a greater sense of interactivity with the libraries as they’d be informed about library news and events, reducing the chance of them missing out on something they might possible enjoy (Berube, 2011).
Web 2.0 and User Privacy
All of these various sites and applications can be used as great tools in creating a fuller user experience and helping the library to promote itself to a wider audience, but along with these benefits come responsibilities.
On a personal level libraries are generally thought of as places where individuals read and learn in a private capacity; but the introduction of certain web 2.0 sites and applications has reversed that where now it all seems to be geared towards sharing between people, where, as Rory Litwin puts it (2006: 1), they are now about “seeing and being seen.” Even though the user has the ability to share their information, say on Facebook, with only those people they specifically choose, the data in which they’re sharing is still owned by the host site. This opening up to a third party has brought in a whole new dynamic within public libraries. With this seeming openness which is created through specifically social media sites, younger generations are likely to grow up not being so worried about their data being seen and shared: it’ll almost be natural for them to constantly be on display. This openness to sharing could of course also just be an age related phenomena, where the instincts for privacy aren’t yet fully formed; but where libraries have always thought of a patrons reading history as something not to be shared, these new forms of communication bring in an outside contribution through social media which seems to be in direct conflict with these ideals.
Conclusion
The introduction of web 2.0 services in public libraries has undoubtedly brought some major benefits to both staff and customers. Cheaper advertising and the ability to reach a wider a public has increased libraries chances of gaining new members and also helped in boosting existing customers attendance. The danger with the introduction of these technologies into libraries is that by conforming to popular sites and incorporating them into the service there’s the possibility of losing customers who believe that their conceptions of what a library should be is no longer apparent in physical form. By inundating public libraries with new technologies there is also the risk of completely changing the demographic of library user. A more balanced approach needs to be taken, where new technologies can be incorporated to complement the existing materials and resources, and not completely take over to the point that the traditional forms of information are made redundant.
References
Beer, D. & Burrows, R. (2007) Sociology and, of and in Web 2.0: Some initial considerations. Sociological Research Online [e-journal] 12(5)17 Available at: http://www.socresonline.org.uk/12/5/17.html [Accessed 17/12/2011]
Berube, L. (2011) Do You Web 2.0?: Public libraries and social networking. Oxford: Chandos Publishing
Floridi, L. (2009) The Information Society and Its Philosophy: Introduction to the Special Issue on “The Philosophy of Information, its Nature and Future Developments". [e-journal] Vol. 25, No. 3, pp. 153-158 Available through: http://encore.city.ac.uk [Accessed 10/11/2011]
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Kyrnin, J. (2008) What is Web 2.0? [www.document] Available at: http://webdesign.about.com/od/web20/a/aa021306.htm [Accessed 22/12/2011]
Litwin, R. (2006) The Central Problem of Library 2.0: Privacy. [www.document] Available at: http://libraryjuicepress.com/blog/?p=68 [Accessed 24/12/2011]
Matthews, J. (2000) The Value of Information in Library Catalogues.
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http://www.sla.org/content/Shop/Information/infoonline/2000/jul00/matthews.cfm [Accessed 01/12/2011]
Rowe, A. (2011) Web 2.0 and Public Libraries: How youth participation has increased as a result. [www.document] Available at: http://networkconference.netstudies.org/2011/04/web-2.0-and-public-libraries-how-youth-participation-has-increased-as-a-result [Accessed 04/12/2011]
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