Blogs and Online Social Networks as user centric service tools in Academic Libraries: An Indian library experience

 

International Conference on Academic Libraries, 5-8 October,2009, New Delhi

Modern academic libraries cater the information needs of a more demanding and tech savvy new generation user group that prefers to reside in an open, self generated online environment largely supported by Web 2.0 technologies. To reach the users where they are, the libraries should revamp their service strategies by incorporating tools like blogs and online social networks. Blog is a handy technology for library professionals which can be reshaped as an information and publicity tool, as a feedback instrument, as an interactive and collaborative learning medium and as a facility for library promotion. Online social networks connect like minded people who share information, ideas and feelings. The unparalleled growth of user bases of these networks presents an opportunity before academic libraries that may be harnessed by making the library an active member of these communities. The experience of an academic library in India shows that reaching the user at their own time and space is more easy and productive when we adapt new web technologies.

Key words : Academic Library services, Web 2.0, Library 2.0, Blogs, Online social networks

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