Web 2.0 and library blogs

Libraries around the world have eagerly embraced the use of web 2.0 technologies to provide more innovative and flexible services to existing clientele.

Public libraries, in particular, have been quick to adopt Web 2.0 technologies as they provide more appealing service delivery and are responsive to library client needs.

Much has already been written regarding the ways in which libraries have introduced and started using web 2.0 technologies, however, formal and systematic evaluation of these services has not been widely conducted.

Recently presented in Melbourne by Paul Mercieca, a lecturer in RMIT University's School of Business Information Technology and Logistics, and co-authored by Michelle McLean from the Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation, Evaluating Web 2.0 user experiences with Public Library Blogs reports on patron use of the five Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation blogs.

"This paper was presented at the VALA conference held in February 2010," Mr Mercieca said.

"While the paper draws on research data, the focus is to support the actual practice of evaluating blog use within the local council and public library network. Feedback from the practitioners present at the conference was positive.

"Public libraries are making heavy use of web 2.0 applications, especially blogs. The results from this pilot survey indicate a 'hidden' use of blogs.

"While the individual blogs were read by respondents, the strongest use of the blogs came from reading the posts being fed into other websites, including the library's main web page."

This article is just one of a number of publications listed in the RMIT Research Repository.

When asked to comment on the usefulness of placing this paper in the repository, Mr Mercieca was highly supportive.

"Providing a link from RMIT's repository seems to continue to support access to the paper. Hopefully this will assist practitioners in locating and accessing such research."

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