Programming Library 2.0 that users need
| Pages | 292-297 |
| Published date | 10 April 2009 |
| Date | 10 April 2009 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470910947638 |
| Author | Qiaoying Zheng,Shaoping Wang |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Programming Library 2.0 that
users need
Qiaoying Zheng and Shaoping Wang
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
Abstract
Purpose – The aim of this paper is to focus on the formulation of a Library 2.0 program that will
guide the realization of a “user-centered” service pattern.
Design/methodology/approach – In-depth user investigations are the first step toward a
successful Library 2.0 program, which will reflect what users really hope to achieve through
Library 2.0. Three user investigations were carried out with the purpose to get users’ opinions and
suggestions about Library 2.0 services. Then the target was formed on the basis of analysis and
evaluation of users’ needs. The Library 2.0 programming was analyzed in four tiers of management
ideas, service patterns, technical support, and content development.
Findings – User investigations are of primary importance in programming Library 2.0, and a
program formulated on such investigations will not miss its aim, and be more realistic.
Originality/value – The paper does not dwell on technical particularities of Library 2.0, but focuses
on the key role of a program in realization of the concept of Library 2.0, and the methodology of
programming.
Keywords Computer applications, User interfaces,Information services, Customer satisfaction, China
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Library 2.0, which was first put forward by Casey in 2005 (Casey and Savastinu, 2007),
is an outcome of introduction and application of the ideas and techniques of Web 2.0 in
the library community. Library 2.0 has inherited the idea of “user-centeredness” from
Web 2.0, and is now turning it into reality. An all-round coordination and
programming is necessary to avoid blindness and rashness in the realization of Library
2.0 ideas. The heart of Library 2.0 is the user-centered transformation of library
services, which means the first step toward a successful Library 2.0 program is
investigation of users’ needs of services derived from Library 2.0. We know that all the
services supplied by a library are under constant development in order to meet the
needs of users. With the evolution of such factors as technology, methodology and
environment of information, and endless changes of users’ needs, the library’s service
patterns cannot stand unchanged. We should keep studying, and adopt ourselves to
the changes of users’ needs, and evaluate, regulate and innovate our services in
accordance with such changes. Only then can ideal effects be achieved. On the basi s of
analysis and evaluation of users’ needs the target to realize Library 2.0 can be formed,
and the actual Library 2.0 program will be formulated in four tiers.
User investigations in SJTU Library
In 2007, before the formulation of a Library 2.0 program, the Shanghai Jiao Tong
University (SJTU) Library conducted three user investigations with the purpose of
evaluating users’ needs of Library 2.0, including the User Investigation of Reserve
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
EL
27,2
292
Received 30 September 2008
Revised 2 December 2008
Accepted 4 December 2008
The Electronic Library
Vol. 27 No. 2, 2009
pp. 292-297
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640470910947638
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