Web 2.0 is a general term used to refer to new technologies, services and applications design that allows its users to interact and personalize websites (Berube, 2011). Currently, several public libraries have adopted the technology in an attempt to renew and expand their services (Landis, 2010). With the adoption of these technologies, public libraries have enhanced communication, content sharing, social networking and crowd sourcing (Berube, 2011). Content sharing has expanded dramatically with the adoption of new technologies such as blogs, and other content sharing portals such as YouTube (Godwin & Parker, 2008).Similarly, RSS technologies have enabled public libraries meet their needs in communication. Presently, the use of tagging functionalities and book rating systems has advanced crowd sourcing, and in thus, public libraries accessibility has been enhanced (Kroski, 2008). This article majors on experience gained from utilization of web 2.0 applications, participative library services and adult services offered by three public library websites.
Clayton County Library System
Website Basics
Clayton county Library system (CCLS) was founded in the year 1941 by the Jonesboro women’s club (County, 2005). Currently, CLCS headquarters branch is situated at 865 Battle Creek Road. Other branches include Forest Park Branch, Jonesboro Branch, Lovejoy Branch, Morrow Branch, and Riverdale Branch. Clayton County library System (CCLS) website is designed in such a way that it captures information comprehensively (County, 2005). As indicated on the library website’s homepage, the library’s mission statement states that, “The Clayton County Library System exists to serve all members of the local community by enabling area residents use the library’s collections and facilities for reading and research purposes (County, 2005)”. In this regard, the library offers its users with diverse library services with the aim of fostering users’ knowledge and leisure interests. The library serves numerous commuter students in a diverse population. Over the last decades, the library has expanded enormously, and currently has six branches with more than 1 million visitors (Spencer & Reilly, 2002). In all its branches, the library’s operation hours range between 9 am to 9 pm from Mondays to Thursdays. On Fridays, the branches operate from 9am to 6 pm, and on Saturdays, operations begin from 9am to 5pm (County, 2005). On Sundays, all branches are closed.
As indicated in the library’s calendar, there are several ongoing and upcoming events. Since June 1, 2012, Adult Summer Reading Program has been ongoing, and will continue until August 3, 2012. The program starts at 9.00 AM and runs until 6.00 PM. This program comprises of prize giving ceremonies, movie nights, and lots of fun targeted at all patrons regardless of their age and background. On July 9, 2012, several events are scheduled to take place in the library’s two branches. As such, Lovejoy Branch will host three major events. Covers-Adult Summer Reading Program will be the first program to held, starting at 9.00AM. Secondly, Friends of the Library Meeting will be held in the same branch, starting from 10.00 AM. Thereafter, Life South Blood Drive Program will commence at 3.30 PM. On the same date, the headquarters branch will host two major programs.Genealogy Research Assistance Meeting is scheduled to start from 10.AM. Thereafter, Beginning Spanish for Adults program will commence at 3.30 PM.
The website’s homepage contains a section that gives the history of the library, meeting rooms, photos of library events, the library policies, library’s support page containing book sales and merchandise, donation to the library, friends of the library and the volunteers. Through this, friends and volunteers are urged to support the library’s endeavors in every way possible.
Web & Library 2.0
In respect to web 2.0 features and applications, CCLS’website contains the following features and alerts page: Facebook page, RSS newsfeed for the library calendar, sign up page to receive email alerts and the Twitter page. On Facebook page, CCLS has 166 “Likes” and 7 Facebook users commenting on the library. Similarly, the library’s Facebook page contains its photos and maps showing all its centers and locations (County, 2005). On the site’s homepage, several databases such as, Galileo, Learning Express, Job, and Career Accelerators, Chilton Auto Manuals, Tumble Books, and Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center are advertised. On twitter, Clayton library has attracted 16 followers and 367 Tweets (County, 2005).
Adult Services
Unlike most public library websites, less adult services are offered in CCLS’ website (County, 2005). Among these few services, are adult reading programs and adult movie nights. Based on the websites presentation, adults might not keep coming back to this site, as the site design and contents attract the youth and the children at the expense of the adults. For instance, a close analysis of the systems events calendar reveals that most of the upcoming events are tailored to suit the young generation. To attract adult users, the site should consider increasing adult content, events such as adult DVDs, adult clubs, adult’s forums, and adult meetings (Engdahl, 2007).
Toronto public library
Website Basics
Toronto public library is a private subscription institution, established in the year 1813 in York town, Canada. Since its inception, the library has expanded quickly and currently has more than forty branches (Ferreira, 1998).The mission of Toronto public library states that, “Toronto public library exists to provide unrestricted and equal access to public library services to meet the needs of the people of Toronto (Public, 2012).” The library’s hours of operation can be accessed from the homepage, and are listed in the table below (Public, 2012).
Table 2: Toronto Library Hours of Operation.
Toronto public Library calendar of programs, events, center’s hours, locations, and contact information are conveniently located on one web page. Lists of events are displayed in a chronological format with respect to the dates of the events. When clicked, each entry expands revealing each event’s location and a short description of the events. Correspondingly, on the library’s homepage, several programs tailored for all members of the society (Public, 2012). Among these programs areKick-off –parties, summer- reading clubs and Teen Summer Readings.
Web & Library 2.0
On the homepage of Toronto’s Public Library website, users can befriend the library on Facebook, follow them on Twitter or Flicker, and view them on YouTube (Public, 2012). On Facebook, the library has 14, 309 likes, and 954 persons have commented on its services (Public, 2012). Similarly, on their Facebook wall, the library has posted their detailed information allowing its friends and other Facebook users to view some their general information, contact information, photos, and videos. On Twitter, Toronto Public Library system has attracted 12,029 followers and 4,603 Tweets (Public, 2012). Similarly, on Twitter, this library displays some of their upcoming programs, shares its videos, and displays highlights and photos of their latest programs and events. For children, the library provides access to a variety of children’s programs and clubs on their website.
The library has ESL and FUN programs allowing children to have interactive learning, and have fun through them. The site has links to other children’s websites, such as Kids -Space, where children can visit for more fun (Public, 2012). For teenagers, the library’s site has several hobbies, crafts, and games. Currently, the following hobbies and clubs are offered by the library: knitting, crocheting, chess, and French conversation and Lego club. The website also provides access to diverse databases such as, jobs and career help, business and finance, adult literacy, downloads and eBooks, history and genealogy. Unlike most public library systems, Toronto public library system offers sufficient information and resources for all users of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging them to keep coming back to this site (Farkas, 2007).
Adult Services
Toronto Public Library System allows adult users to access some of their adult literacy programs from its website (Public, 2012). Through this, adult members have free admittance to several programs such as one-on one- tutoring, writing and math skills. To enhance their efficiency, volunteer tutors are urged to work hand in hand with the library’s personnel to allow learners achieve their dream goals. More adult services can be accessed on the websites homepage through the, “Books, Video and Research” tab. On entering this tab, adult contents and services can be retrieved (Public, 2012). In this essence, users can download books, movies, articles and post recommendations on the website using the same portal. As compared to the other library systems, analyzed in this paper, Toronto public library system offers content that is more adult oriented (Funk, 2009).
Brooks County Public library
Website Basics
Brooks County Public Library is located at 404, Barwick Road, Quitman (County, 2009). Brooks County Public Library is associated with the library system serving the entire Brooks County. Its library facilities comprises of 58560 volumes, and serves a population of more than 15, 000 residents (County, 2009). Currently the library does not have a mission statement and therefore none is listed on the library’s website. The library’s hours of operation are listed on its homepage and are detailed in the following table.
Table 3: Brooks County Public Library Timetable.
As for the library’s programs and events, the library’s homepage has a tab labeled “Events Calendar.” To access it users have to click on this tab (County, 2009). When clicked, several events and activities scheduled to take place on July are displayed. Among these events are family movie nights, story times, book review events, book signing events, and short descriptions of each event. On their website’s homepage, users have access to other links such as Galileo, Brooks County, staff, genealogy, event calendar, board members, children’s corner, and internet resources (County, 2009). To access these links, users have to click on the specific links. Through the “Friends of the Library,” link users are encouraged to support the library by contributing $12 per person as membership fee.
Web & Library 2.0
In respect to Web 2.0 features and applications, Brooks County Public Library does not have that much to offer. Unlike most public libraries’ websites, there are no links to social networking sites, and there are no opportunities for interaction with staff or other users. The only link that users can find resourceful on this website is Internet Resources link. Through this link, users can have access to new from popular newspapers, reference, search engines and medical sites such as Medline-Plus.
Adult Services
There are hardly any adult services displayed on Brooks County Public Library’s website. Consequently, nothing on the website would attract adult users to visit the library. In this regard, the library’s website does not only need to be completely refurbished, but also needs to offer attractive services and opportunities to suit all visitors to the site. To attract adult users, the site should consider introducing adult content and events on their website such as adult DVDs, adult clubs, adult’s forums, and adult meetings (Theimer, 2010).
To enhance dissemination of information, content sharing and provision of services, public libraries must adopt Web 2.0 based services and applications (Agosto & Abbas, 2011). For instance, Facebook has gained exceptional popularity in the public sector, thus through the subscription of such services, public libraries can attract more visitors to visit their libraries. Similarly, through social media up- to- date information, news, and jobs announcements can easily be disseminated (Courtney, 2007).
Table Four: Table of Comparison of the Three Libraries.
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