http://library2.0

Abstract

Many libraries are using Web 2.0 ideas and applications including blogs, wikis, and social networking sites to market and/or provide services to patrons. Libraries have incorporated blogs and wikis into their sites and some, such as the Ann Arbor District Library in Michigan, have even went a step further and turned their whole home page into a blog. How far can libraries go with using Web 2.0 in order to implement a true Library 2.0 Web site utilizing popular (and free) social applications? This "proof of concept" presentation will demonstrate a Library 2.0 Web site that was created by utilizing content from Web 2.0 services and applications. These include calendars from MySpace, photos from Flickr, favorites from del.icio.us, book reviews from Amazon and LibraryThing, wikis, blogs, and other applications. The techniques used to incorporate content from these services using basic scripting and web services onto a single Library Web site will be discussed. The customer relations implications of using these social networking sites will also be explored.