TRANSFORMATION OF WEB 2.0 INTO LIBRARY 2.0 FOR DRIVING ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE BY ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA By Dr. Chinwe Nwogo Ezeani And Helen Nneka Eke From Web 2.0 to Lib 2.0: New Paradigms for driving access to knowledge…

Abstract This paper investigates the concept of web 2.0 and its application to library services known as library 2.0. Library 2.0 is a user-centered tool which enables real time interaction with library patrons enhancing a two way relationship where the information consumers connect with information producers to become co-producers themselves. This paper discusses how academic librarians might utilize and leverage these new innovations in driving access to knowledge in the 21 st century. Some of the challenges in migrating from the static web to the dynamic web such as library 2.0 are succinctly discussed. These are technophobia, resistance to change, criticism of library 2.0 by scholars among others. Recommendations are derived from the challenges such as inculcating a positive attitude to these new tools; training of librarians to help facilitate the use of library 2.0 tools and building pro-active librarians among others. Keywords: Web 2.0, Lib. 2.0, librarians, knowledge, Information. >>>

At a Glance Introduction The Web 2.0 Concept Features of Web 2.0 Web 2.0 techniques Transition to Lib 2.0 Overview of Lib 2.0 Knowledge Access Librarians driving Access to knowledge Proposing a Model for Knowledge Access using Lib 2.0 Challenges Contributions Conclusion >>>

ORIGINALITY Knowledge Access (KA) 2.0 Model, Proposed The 21 st Century Library User (Patron 2.0) Information Needs are: Dynamic Collaborative Multi-sensory Interactive Customized information Blogging Personal Websites Wikipedia Encyclopedias Folkso - nomies Taxonomies Flickr Photo Tagging Directories/ Catalogues Lib 1.0 tools Lib 2.0 Tools

Introduction >>> Libraries are important information access points Librarians are knowledge managers and providers. Davenport, DeLong and Beers (1998) have defined knowledge as containing fact and information. Driving access to knowledge via web 2.0 tools deals with driving users to the web platform; making them aware of new tools which offer faster and reliable services in information seeking. Making our patrons realize that web 2.0 offers a variety of technologies which aid in knowledge acquisition such as: RSS,Flickr, Facebook, Instant Messaging, etc. Librarians’ traditional role Adopting modern tools Paradigm shift

The Web 2.O Concept Ranganathan’s 5 th Law: “the library is a growing organism”. Growth signifies a change, shift, or transition from an initially, worse state to a usually, better state. The web can in every sense be related to this law. Manness (2006): The Web is a matrix of dialogues, not a collection of monologues. This means the web is now becoming more interactive – involving more people who can collaborate, communicate and exchange ideas. This current state of the web is referred to as Web 2.0. Web Coined by O'Reilly Media in 2004, is about the more human aspects of interactivity on the Web: It is about conversations, interpersonal networking, personalization and individualism. >>>

Features of Web 2.0 { O’Reilly (2005) } The web as platform: a platform for success as it involves communication, interaction, collaboration and participation in organizations. Harnessing collective intelligence: This is evident in hyper- linking different sites which makes for the growth of the web. Rich user experiences: These are richly enhanced by web 2.0 because content are assembled which meet the needs of the users. >>>

Web 2.0 Techniques or Resources {Brown and Adler (2008)} Social networking sites Blogs Wikis Virtual communities These technologies according to Tötteraman and Widen- Wulff (2009) are defined as a network of collaborative applications where users consume, create and recreate information from several sources resulting in new contents and structure. >>>

Transition to Lib 2.0 There is now a transition within the library world in the way services are offered to patrons. The application of Web 2.0 to library services is referred to as Library 2.0 or Lib 2.0 for short. Wikipedia clearly defined Lib2.0 as a loosely defined model for a modernized form of library service that reflects a transition within the library world in the way that services are delivered to users. >>>

Overview of Lib. 2.0 The term "Library 2.0" was coined by Michael Casey on his blog LibraryCrunch as a direct spin-off of the terms Business 2.0 and Web 2.0. The techniques of web 2.0 are also applicable to Lib. 2.0, but in the library environment. Four Elements of Lib. 2.0 (Manness, 2006): It is user-centered: Users  OPAC -> Librarians It provides a multi-media experience : video/audio components It is socially rich: The library's web-presence includes users' presence. It is communally innovative: >>>

Knowledge Access Libraries have the potential to create quality access to information and quality content for research. Knowledge goes beyond mere information, but deals with processed and interpreted information which prepares the receiver for appropriate actions (Aguolu and Aguolu, 2002) Knowledge Access is a state where a library user has the opportunity to come in contact with needed processed information. >>>

Librarians Driving Access to Knowledge Librarians: Concerned with Public knowledge Libraries : Important vehicles for the acquisition of knowledge. Libraries : facilitate access to information Key Enablers for Access to Knowledge by Libraries and Librarians (Tise, 2009): Libraries and librarians must become more user-oriented; Libraries and librarians must become active in advocacy by actively promoting libraries; Libraries and librarians must create partnerships and foster opportunities for convergences; Libraries should serve as space and place >>>

Proposing a Model for Knowledge Access Using Lib. 2.0 Librarians are vehicles that drive access to knowledge, and therefore, should involve themselves deeply by using the Lib. 2.0 tools. >>> SNS Blogs RSS IM Wikis Social Networking Sites Eg. Facebook, hi5, LinkedIn, LibraryThing, etc. Rich Site Summary Instant/Synchronous Messaging Flickr In employing these tools, librarians drive access to knowledge by establishing contact with the users and providing their needs.

Knowledge Access (KA) 2.0 Model The 21 st Century Library User (Patron 2.0) Information Needs are: Collaborative Multi-sensory Interactive Customized information Blogging Personal Websites Wikipedia Encyclopedias Folkso - nomies Taxonomies Flickr Photo Tagging Directories/ Catalogues Lib 1.0 tools Lib. 2.0 tools Dynamic Figure X: Knowledge Access (KA) 2.0 Model

Challenges of Using Lib. 2.0 Tools by Librarians in Driving Access to Knowledge Fear of the unknown Resistance to change Lack of proper orientation Criticisms of Lib. 2.0 Lack of peer-review Cost of sustainability of lib. 2.0 technologies >>>

Contributions Ways of Ameliorating these challenges: Building proactive librarians Training librarians on lib 2.0 technologies Inculcating the ‘yes-we-can’ attitude into librarians Provision of stable power supply >>>

Conclusion In conclusion this paper has tried to examine the concepts of web 2.0 and its application to library services popularly known as library 2.0. The paper also highlighted the major features of these tools and how these tools can be used in dynamic ways to create access to knowledge. Library 2.0 is touted as a facilitator for knowledge access to patrons. Librarians are called to use this tool to reach out beyond their walls and institutions and reach out to both actual and potential patrons where ever they are located. >>>

Conclusion Contd… According to Miller (2005) Even though libraries are guardians of knowledge, it has become evident that many users may by pass processes and institutions that they perceive to be slow, unresponsive, unappealing and irrelevant in favour of a more direct approach to services offered by others that may meet their needs. >>>

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