Awareness of Web 2.0 Technology in the Academic Libraries: An Islamabad Perspective.
Hussain, Abid ; Jan, Saeed Ullah
Awareness of Web 2.0 Technology in the Academic Libraries: An Islamabad Perspective.
I. Introduction
Before taking initiative on this paper, first of all we will
introduce Pakistan, where it is situated and what is the geographical
location of this country in the world map. The great significance and
its location in the world map, a land with an area of 770,875 square
kilometres and water area of 25,220 square kilometres beautify this
country as one of the most charming geographic zone in the world.
Plateaus, Hills, forests, deserts and profound blend of landscapes from
the coastal areas of the Arabian sea in the south to mountains of the
Karakoram range in the north is the most beautiful geography of this
country. As the target population of this paper is the university
libraries of Islamabad. Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the
second most beautiful capital of the world after London, it is located
in the foot hills of the Margalla, a well-planned and modern city with
God gifted natural scenery, the greenery is the biggest attraction for
tourists visiting the city. The total area of Islamabad is 906 Sq. KM,
which includes Urban and rural areas. The current Literacy rate of
Islamabad is 88%.
ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency NETwork), is the
pioneering authority of internet which can be traced back by the
experience of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPANET). The
internet was available at governmental and educational institutions
until 1992. In the History of networks and networking communication, the
internet was considered as paradigm shift (Ata-ur-Rehman 2011). In the
beginning, there was web 1.0 application being used in various
institutions. In the past, the usage of web 1.0 was a one-way
communication and HTML was used to provide the read only information to
the visitors through connecting networks. But, later on the advent of
Web 2.0 technology were introduced as a two-way communication to connect
the peoples and facilitate them the right information (Nicholas Joint
2009)
The DiNucci in her article "Fragmented future"
highlighted that the web 2.0 was used for the first time in 1999, but in
current use the term which she used does not related directly (Kebede H.
Wordofa, 2012). In brain storming session of a conference which was held
in 2004, O'Reilly the founder of O' Reilly media highlighted
this term. But in 2005, the term was re-introduced by O'Reilly in
its current use. According to him, there are seven underlying principles
of Web 2.0 as cited in in his article What is Web 2.0 (Kebede H. Wordofa
2012). The central idea of web was presented by O'Reilly (i), he
described that through web the contents could be shared and produced for
consumers to use it, further he elaborated that social bookmarker, RSS
Feeds, social networking and many other tools have been created for
information sharing and communication on the basis of interoperability,
Michael Casey who used the concept of library 2.0 in autumn 2005.
2. Problem Statement and Purpose of the Study
In the exploration and usage of these kind of technologies in the
library setup of Pakistan, there is wide gap in the literature. The
emerging use of Web 2.0 application in the whole world brought
revolutions in every field, services in academic libraries have also
been influenced by this these technologies. The Information
professionals in Pakistan, use these kind of technologies partially or
as a whole, keeping in mind the usage and applications of web 2.0
technology in the academic libraries at university level in Islamabad,
this paper will be first in nature, which will provide basic information
on Web 2.0 applications and similar technologies being implemented in
the library services at university level.
Research Questions
The following Questions were asked while conducting this study:
* What type of Web 2.0 technology do you use in your academic
library?
* What are the uses of Web 2.0 Technology in the academic libraries
of Pakistan?
3. Research Methodology
The study is based on survey. Top five subject experts were
consulted on this issue. Topic, objectives and questionnaire were sent
to these experts for their adept inputs. The changes suggested were
incorporated accordingly before sending it to the participants. The
google forms were used as a tool for data collection and the link of the
forms were sent to the 100 participants (Library Professionals) of 43
public and private sector universities of Islamabad. The email addresses
were taken from HEC Digital library pages, websites and Library pages of
different universities. A Staff directory on each library page with
staff email made this research more easy to contacting them directly. In
response of 100 Questionnaires, only 72 had filled the questionnaire
successfully and were sent back via emails. the data were scrutinized
and tabulated using MS Excel 2010 and SPSS. .
4. Literature Review
Numerous studies on the utilization of web 2.0 technology have been
conducted by different professional institutions, organizations and
individual researchers for example Berners-Lee, T. et al, (1999) in his
article mentioned that the WWW was used as a tool for gathering
knowledge of human through interaction and collaboration. The Library
Marketing Toolkit written by Ned Potter, has explained in this book that
there are only really a handful of libraries you can point to and say
'yes, their marketing is good enough" (E. Massis, 2014). Darcy
DiNucci used the term web 2.0 first time in her article in 1999. Its
rise and popularity began in 2004, when O'Reilly Media and Media
Live organized the first Web 2.0 conference. (Md. Milan Khan, 2014) The
concept of Web 2.0 was crystallized from the process of measuring the
reasons for success of some Internet companies in comparison with their
competitors (O'Reilly, 2005). Technological advancement has
introduced extraordinary changes in every occupation as well as
librarianship. A library must create new thoughts and should react to
development within community in order to feed academic development.
(Haroon Idrees, 2016). There are lots of library and information
resources and products that can be marketed to library's clients.
Adewale, Omolola, & Ladipo Sunday, (2012) dilated upon that
libraries must market their services like SDI, CAS, document delivery
services, abstracting and indexing services, photocopying, services,
record management and rental services. Web is making progress in the
library services , in which the web 2.0 will achieve this goal in short
span of time. Md. Milan Khan, (2014) defined in his article that most of
the analyst in library field considering web 2.0 as a tool for social
interaction and content creation. Web 2.0 tools facilitate sharing,
networking and disseminating information among users and other
professional groups. Library websites of universities are virtual
presentation of the university libraries to the world are increasing to
with the passage of time to provide services to the end users via
electronic tools out side the library. (Pathak, Pal and Rai, 2008). As
the library services are reshaping from time to time and users to users
(U2U) round the clock , the changing nature of services, information,
ideas views and comments are also changing in the current scenario, the
paradigm shifting from manual setup to virtual space which is a big
challenge for the library professionals. The multiple number of channels
are increasing through web 2.0 technologies which create an unlimited
responsibility to information services providers and facilitators in
this new technology. (Muhammad Yousuf Ali, 2014). In short we may say
that the services being provided via Web 2.0 are more creative, based on
the community needs there are few libraries which are using some form of
Web 2.0 Technology, the use of this technology will increase by large
number of participation of the student for the utilization of library
services such as cataloguing, classification, reference services,
collection development process, information delivery and current
awareness services. This technology will also help in many other
services of the library, such as user orientation programme, news and
library events, information retrieval, etc. Participation in various
function and services of the library, the authority will extend its
services to the larger section of the community to avail these services.
. In developed countries like America and UK the Web 2.0 tools have
already been adopted and implemented but in developing countries like
Pakistan such technology are adopted in few universities mostly because
of their restricted and tight budget. Many authors have highlighted the
problems and hurdles confronted to library professionals in
implementation or adoption of web 2.0 tools in developing countries such
as lack of knowledge how to use these tools in libraries unavailability
of computers, lack of computer and internet facility in libraries of
Pakistan lack of awareness of social media use, lack of trained staff,
lack of government interest and involvement, copy right issues and
bandwidth problems in Nigerian libraries lack of motivation, computer
expertise, facilities and personality characteristics were found in the
librarians regarding the use of web 2.0 tools. (Arif & Mahmood,
2012; Ezeani & Igwesi, 2012; Abidin, Kiran, & Abrizah, 2013).
5. Study Objectives
This study was conducted keeping in mind the following major
objectives:
1. To know the extent of the librarian's familiarity with web
2.0 technologies.
2. To discover the proficiency of Web 2.0 in academic learning.
3. To know the purpose of using web 2.0 technologies.
4. To find out the possible factors which can influence the
implementation of Web 2.0 technology.
6. Results and discussion
The data analysis of 43 libraries reveals that each academic
library in Islamabad is using some form of Web 2.0 Technology, but the
most adopted technology was Social Networking sites, like Facebook,
LinkedIn, RSS, Wikis, Twitter, Blogs and Instant Messaging (IM). As
these kind of technologies are using by many academic libraries but
still there is need of awareness regarding other technologies being
hugged by the libraries in developed countries.
Table 1 shows that the out of 72 respondents, the ratio of male is
52 (72.2%) Whereas the ratio of Female is 20 (27.8%).
Table 2 represents the level of education of the participants.
About 47(65.77%) is holding master degree 32(32.4%) holding MS/M.Phil.
Degree however only 2(2.8%) holding Ph.D Degree in Library and
Information Sciences.
Table 3 shows that participants from public sector universities
were 52 (72.22%) whereas the number of private sector universities were
20(27.77%).
Table 4 represents the awareness about web 2.0 technologies in the
libraries of the capital. About 65 (90.27%) are aware about this
technology whereas 7(9.72%) are not well aware about Web 2.0 technology
in their academic libraries.
Table 5 represents the various technologies adopted by the
librarians in their university libraries. The highest usage in the
academic libraries are Social Networking which are (Facebook, LinkedIn
etc., 52(72.22% using these technologies, whereas, the lowest usable
technology is virtual environment which is used by only 14(19.44%) in
their libraries.
Table 6 shows the frequency about training regarding web 2.0
Technology. Only 29(40.27%) agreed that training has been provided by
our universities whereas 42(58.33%) respondents had their views that
there is no training opportunities in our universities on web 2.0
Technology.
Table 7 shows the importance of web 2.0 in university libraries.
41(56.94%) said that the web 2.0 technology is very important whereas 31
(43.05%) said that it is important. There were no answer regarding not
important, the result shows that many librarians are interested to adopt
this technology however, very few are of them are showing less interest
to hug this technology in their libraries.
Table 8 shows the perceptions of librarians about web 2.0
technology. About effective marketing services regarding libraries
62(86.11%) were agree while 10(13.88%) shows disagreement. Regarding
interaction between staff and users 66(91.66%) were agree whereas, only
6(8.33%) were not agree with this statement. Enhancing library image
among users 66(91.66%) were of the opinions that it is a tool of image
building only 6(8.33%) were disagree about this statement. For sharing
and announcement of library news 63(87.5%) show agreement while 9(12.5%)
shows disagreement. Coming to exchanging of opinion 68(94.44%) were
agree while 4(5.55%) were disagree to this statement. For keeping
yourself up-to-date 70(97.22%) were of view that its up-to-date the
users while 2(2.77%) were not agree with this statement. It is a source
of Current Awareness Services SDI 68(94.44%) were agree to this
statements while 3(4.16%) were not agree about this view. Regarding high
class hardware/software 64(88.88%) said yes we are agree but, 18(25%)
were disagree with this statement. (Mahmood & Richardson, 2013).
Table 9 shows the overall language of this questionnaire. 69
(95.83%) said that Questionnaire was easy to understand while 3(4.16%)
said that questionnaire was confusing, so it shows that large number of
population involved in this research were understanding the language of
this questionnaire only few were not convinced by the language being
used in this questionnaire.
7. Major Findings
The study has the following major findings:
1. The librarians at university level has a high familiarity with
main web 2.0 tools such as You tube, Facebook, blogs, Twitter, LinkedIn
and Wikis.
2. Facebook was used most followed by Wikis, Twitter, LinkedIn and
Blogger.
3. Library Thing, RSS, My Space, and Delicious were the least used
tools. Their least usage by librarians is due to the fact that they are
not much aware about them.
4. Library professionals utilized Web 2.0 Technologies mainly for
communication, teaching, entertainment and Research.
Though the study has some limitations as convenience sampling
technique was used and that the study was limited to the universities at
Islamabad, but even then the data collected gave some valuable insight
into the familiarity of faculty with web 2.0 technologies. The general
opinion expressed by the respondents towards using web 2.0 technologies
was positive. The data reveals that the library professional have high
awareness and interest in a range of Social Media /Web 2.0 tools.
Further research is required to know the current use of web 2.0 tools as
well as the barriers to its implementation by librarians to provide data
related to accelerating the application and reducing the barriers in the
academic use of web 2.0 tools. To sum up, the conclusions of the study
it can be said that the use of this new technology among librarians are
encouraging and reflect high level of acceptability and recognition.
Keeping in view the conclusions of the study, the following is
recommended:
* The Librarians at university level much take interest in order to
facilitate members by using such technologies.
* The library associations should have organized training session
for the librarians working in various universities in order to implement
web 2.0 technologies in their libraries.
* The higher authority should encourage the library professionals
to implement these technologies in their libraries.
* The IT Center at university level can also play its role by
facilitating the library staff to use these technologies in their
Libraries. In addition, the IT Center can also arrange such type of
classes/program to create awareness and develop skills among the
professionals about the usefulness and effective use of Web 2.0 in
academic activities.
* Youtube, Google, and similar technology's tutorial may be
used for learning in order to implement such technologies in their
university libraries.
* The problems being faced by library professionals while using web
2.0 technology, those were lack of professional skills, Internet speed
and Contents for the users.
8. Conclusion
In traditional libraries, peoples often used to visit the library
to collect information relevant to their fields but, after the
implementation of web 2.0 technology in the academic libraries, the
services have been transformed into places which can be accessed from
the remote area. This amazing technology has reduced the barriers of
space and time. Connecting the common individuals as consumers to the
library services, Web 2.0 play a commendable role to connect them and
aware them, that what the library has to offer. Web 2.0 is a bridge
between the library and consumers which can bring more changes in the
relationship between users and libraries by involving them both in
library activities .The study reveals that the participants of all
academic libraries in Islamabad are using some parts of the web 2.0
technology, but, there was difference in their adoption. Some popular
tools of Web 2.0 like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogs, RSS and wikis
have been adopted by most of the academic libraries. Many Librarians
showed more interests and agreement with the positive aspects of this
technology. The transformation of libraries into active knowledge hubs,
these tools must be used in the academic libraries because, by adopting
this technology, the library professionals may find the techno-savvy
users through an innovative manners and one can offer the traditional
services through web 2.0 technology, thus, this technology may bring
more potentiality in the library services to build a positive image
among library users.
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a. Abid Hussain
Library Officer, Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI).
Email address: abidmardan@gmail.com
b. Dr-Saeed Ullah Jan
Assistant Professor Department of Library science, Khushaal Khan
Khattak University, Karak Pakistan
Abid Hussain Hussain
abidmardan@gmail.com
Caption: Table 5 Frequency of Web 2.0 Technologies Implemented in
Various Libraries
Table 1: Gender-wise distribution of the participants
Male 52
Female 20
Table 2: Frequency of Qualifications of Respondents
Respondent's Qualification
M.L.I.Sc 47
Ms/M. Phil 23
Ph. D 2
Table 3: Participants from Public/Private Sector Universities
Participants from Public Sector
Universities 52
Participants from Privates Sector
Universities 20
Table 4: Frequency of Familiarity with Web 2.0 Technologies
Familirities about Web 2.0
aware 65
Not aware 7
Table 6: Frequency about Training on Web 2.0 Technology
Training on Web 2.0 Technologies
Yes 29
No 42
Table 7: Frequency about Importance of Web 2.0 Technology
Importance of Web 2.0 Technology
very important 41
Important 31
Table 8: Frequency about Advantages /Disadvantages of Web 2.0
S.No Statements Strongly Agree Agree to
Agree some Extent
1. Effectively market library 23 32 7
services/resources
2. Increase interaction between 22 30 14
staff and users
3. Enhance library image among 15 40 11
users
4. Effectively shares library 24 28 11
news/Events/ Announcements
5. Exchanging of opinion 17 34 17
6. Keeping yourself up-to-date 19 35 16
7. Current Awareness 17 39 12
Services/SDI
8. Required high class 13 27 14
hardware/software
S.No Disagree Strongly
Disagree
1. 3 7
2. 3 3
3. 4 2
4. 3 6
5. 2 2
6. 1 1
7. 3
8. 13 5
Table 9: Frequency about the language of Questionnaire
Questionnaire were easy to understand
Yes 69
No 3
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