IM is vastly being used for online reference services in libraries. Ask a librarian service is provided by instant messengers all over the world. A study of top 100 university libraries shows that IM features have extensively been used in libraries to provide quick online reference services using IM technology (Harinarayana, 2010).
Currie (2010) states that libraries can provide online reference services by employing staff at public desks during nights and weekends when the library is closed for other services.
Wikis are another example of collaborative creative work. Multiple users from all over the world can build a knowledge base by using this application. Wikipedia is a great example of this kind of collaborative work. A library wiki as a service can enable social interaction among ibrarians and patrons, essentially moving the study group room online (Maness, 2006). Wikis can be used to create help files, tutorials with the help of users in libraries. Wikis are the mix of many other technologies like messaging, blogging, streaming media, and tagging (Maness, 2006).
Flickr, an online image sharing application is being used to share images within communities and is a very good source of sharing different events with the help of images and image sets. It allows users to upload, share and tag images by keywords. These tags are very useful for retrieving relevant images (Angus, Thelwall & Stuart, 2008).
Social Networking Sites (SNS), The most commonly social networking site used by national libraries is Facebook. Some of the national libraries are also using other websites for social networking services such as MySpace, Linkedin, Draugiem, etc. These websites offer informal or alternative way of communication with friends, family or users, who are spread all over the world. Social networking sites "offer a free and easy way to create personal web pages and fill them with content such as blogs, digital photographs, favorite music, short video and much more" (Barsky & Purdon, 2006).
Social Bookmarking/ Tagging, Social Bookmarking tools are excellent resource discovery tools; when searching for a particular subject, users may see that other users tagged a particular web page and other sites under similar tags. This allows users to see the collective list of resources from all the users who share the same research apparent; these tools are web-based and searchable. And they facilitate the development of communities of interest and expertise (Barsky & Purdon, 2006).
This tool has great potentials although only small numbers of the national libraries (39%) have adopted it. Use of Podcast/ Vodcast, A podcast is an audio file and a vodcast is a video file. It provides an excellent way to deliver information to users about different events and activity. Among the 28 national libraries that have used Web 2.0 applications, only 10(35%) national libraries have podcast/ vodcast on their website.
National Libraries are showing audio/video clips which mainly pertain to music, interviews, speeches, tutorials and past events held in the library. In short, the use of Web 2.0 applications in the libraries is increasing day by day due to many factors. The rate of adoption of Web 2.0 applications is very high because these are easy to use and intuitive, and enable the direct and immediate online publication and distribution of user content (Schneckenberg, 2009).
TOOLS IN LIBRARIES?
These tools have penetrated all facets of communications including business, social, scholarly, health and many more. Libraries need a communication strategy which is cost effective and convenient both to users and service providers. capitalize the importance of integrating web 2.0 systems into mainstream library and information services as it support, promote and extend information services to patrons or user community. In the modern knowledge and learning environments, university libraries have to be technology-reliant and compliant. According to Makori, the development of web 2.0 services in university libraries in Africa has been very slow. This situation can be supported by the fact that internet users and penetration are 6.2% and 13.5% respectively. Internet use and penetration have a direct relationship with the adoption of web 2.0. Although the speed of adoption may not be the same as the developed world, Africa is taking up changes in its own pace. The in its document on guidelines for using web2.0 in library argue that Web2.0 tools can be used to promote services, share information, engage with users and network with colleagues, on a global scale. In this perspective, librarians and information professionals could not be left behind in utilizing the power of the web in communication. says that web 2.0 can be used for serving the users in a better way and attracting the potential users towards the Library. Miller further cautions that if the libraries don’t use the tools in their services, they are likely to be ignored by users.
PRIORITIZING USER NEEDS
The uses of web 2.0 in library are there to respond to the kind of services that young generation would want to have. University libraries have adopted the use of web2.0 to respond to the needs and demands of the patrons . It is therefore obvious the application of web 2.0 tool in libraries is demand driven and not technology driven as some scholars think. view the needs of today’s users that require application of new kinds of interface around their demands and engaging them with their relevant information. stresses consideration of needs, wants, and ideas and actively implementing them. It is about thinking about their experiences and design library services for them (not us). suggest involvement of community in designing web 2.0 services, this means a user needs analysis has to be conducted to establish actual needs by seeking their input and assistance before integrating web2.0 tools to your library service. In this era, librarians are supposed to listen more, trust more, and be willing to relinquish some control to allow users of all ages and backgrounds to have best library experience possible.
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