Added values of a user-centered Library 2.0

Added values of a user-centered Library 2.0

Problem and research question

The evolution of the Web 2.0 offers new opportunities for science, in particular new forms of participation, interaction and communication. The various facets of this evolution are addressed under the key phrase “Science 2.0” in the Leibniz Research Alliance of the same name. In the course of Science 2.0, libraries have evolved into modern information infrastructure institutions (hereinafter named Library 2.0) which offer new added values to users resp. researchers, and which have been feasible only thanks to Web 2.0. As of this moment, both the general opportunities of the Web 2.0 and the added values presented by a Library 2.0 are mainly technology-driven, e.g. they exploit the new technical capabilities. There has been little discussion so far whether these new services and added values are useful to, or even desired by, the users or the science community. At the same time, initial empirical studies on the acceptance of Web 2.0 services in the German science landscape show that only a minority have integrated the new capabilities of Science 2.0 into their scholarly work routines.

The preliminary work of this project addresses the added values of a user-centered Library 2.0. It focuses on Library 2.0 because modern information centres play a crucial part in the dissemination, information and provision of Web 2.0 services for scholarly work.

Approach to achieving the individual goals of the project

  • Actual state analysis of Web 2.0 services of modern information centres and their usage by the science community (method: usage analysis)
  • Need analysis of required and requested added values from the user’s perspective. In addition, existing barriers to the use of Web 2.0 services and possible means of communication to distribute Web 2.0 services of a Library 2.0 are explored. (method: semi-structured interviews, online surveys based on the findings from the actual state analysis and the semi-structured interviews as well as a literature review regarding findings from the international and in particular from the US American sphere)
  • Creation of an added value inventory: a catalogue of possible added values and their assessment from a user’s perspective will be prepared, based on the findings of the actual state analysis and the needs analysis.

Proposed findings of the project

  • in-depth knowledge about the usage of existing Web 2.0 services of a Library 2.0
  • findings about requested, required or non-existing added values of a Library 2.0
  • creation of an added value inventory including prioritisation of the added values from the user’s perspective
  • derived recommendations for the improvement, expansion and focussing of Web 2.0 services of a Library 2.0
  • recommendations for the communication and dissemination of the added values of a Library 2.0 in order to increase the acceptance of Web 2.0 in the science community

 Preliminary work

  • Linek, S. B., Schafrick, A., & Tochtermann, K. (2013). Just for the image? The impact of Web 2.0 for public institutions. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), vol. 8, Special Issue 1: “ICL 2012”, 7-14. (http://dx.doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v8iS1.2266)
  • Master’s thesis of Josefine Bäßler (in cooperation with HAW): “Rolle von Bibliotheken in Science 2.0 – Focus Wirtschaftswissenschaften” (The role of libraries in Science 2.0 – Focus on Economics)

Projekt partners

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Publications