Using Web 2.0 Applications as Information Awareness Tools

Jay Bhatt and Dana Denick – Hagerty Library, Drexel UniversitySmita Chandra – Indian Institute of Geomagnetism

Presentation for: International Conference of Asian Special Libraries

Shaping the future of special libraries: beyond boundariesNovember 27th, 2008

Why Web 2.0?New research initiatives being developed in institutions, universities and organizations

Drexel and IIG are no exceptionMultidisciplinary Fields: Nanotechnology, Plasma Medicine, Engineering Cities, etc…More research being done

New and innovative ways of reaching out to researchers need further exploration

Need for increased information awareness of new resources and tools

Web 2.0 tools are effective ways to share, generate and distribute knowledge among researchers – shared communicationStephen Abrams thinks that Web 2.0 is “about a much higher level of interactivity and deeper user experiences…”Potential for more academic and research based collaborations

Why Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 Applications coveredBlogsRSS FeedsFeed ReadersBookmarks and TaggingAggregatorsSocial Networks

What is a Blog? Why use a blog?Consists of dated entries in reverse chronological orderFrequently updatedLibrary blog can include news items, announcements, instructional tips, new electronic resources, etc.Searchable by subject area

Drexel Library BlogsLibrary Log

News from the Drexel University LibrariesCareers Collections Blog

Announcing new career-related resources, events and advice for job hunters in the Drexel community.

Drexel PhysicsNews, events and resources from the Drexel University Libraries relating to physics.

ischoolResearchNews and tips from the Drexel University Libraries relating to the iSchool.

Drexel Emerging TechnologiesWhat’s new and interesting for Drexel University Libraries Staff

Print is Dead – E-Resources blogPrimarily for Drexel University Libraries staff, designed to keep readers abreast of developments in electronic resources

Engineering Resources BlogsEngineering Information Blogs

http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/englibrary/http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/engineeringlibraryinstruction/

Announcement of new resources, instructional tips for using a particular database or a resource, new and important web resources and more.Archive of information added over a period of timeEmphasis on resources for CoE and Biomedical Engineering – mainly subscription based

Engineering Resources BlogsEngineering Design ResourcesBiomedical Engineering

Finding Books, Electronic Books and Journals Biomedical PropertiesPatents and Intellectual PropertyEthical Issues

Englibrary Blog

What is RSS?RSS - Real Simple Syndication

Brings contents to youContent available as new feeds

XML based (eXtensible Markup Language)For content distribution called feeds

Aggregators – contains compilation of feedsCollect feeds and display them in easy to read formatMore later during the talkSee also: Using RSS to increase user awareness of e-resources in academic libraries

http://www.higheredblogcon.com/index.php/using-rss-to-increase-user-awareness-of-e-resources-in-academic-libraries/

Getting RSS FeedsFeed readers (RSS feed readers)

Collect various feeds and consolidate the information Downloadable Feed Readers:

Google Reader, http://www.google.com/reader Bloglines, http://www.bloglines.comRSS Compendium: http://allrss.com/rssreaders.html

Many blogs have built in RSS feeds.RSS feeds are identified by ‘XML’ or ‘RSS’ icons Just add the URL associated with the icons to your feed reader

Engineering Resources RSS Feeds

Electronic Journal FeedsIntegrating feeds from journals and journal articles

Nature, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Materials Institute of Physics Science OnlineIEEE Computer Society Royal Society of Chemistry University of Chicago Press Journals Many more to come including ScienceDirect

Announcing Events on Blogs

Collaboration with Faculty & StudentsIdentify faculty and students working on blogs

Drexel CoAS E-Learning Blog Drexel Smart House BlogDepartment of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Blog

One more opportunity to work together!

Bookmarks and TaggingSocial Bookmarking services allow users to tag, save, manage and share web pages from a centralized source.

Del.icio.usDiigo

Information rich resources can be shared among engineering faculty and students.Users can categorize resources using their own tagging system.

AggregatorsCollect various feeds from blogs, bookmarking systems and other forms of posted material in one location

FriendfeedTwitter

Friendfeed

Social NetworksStudents in academic environments use social networks to connect with their friends and colleagues.A Librarian’s presence on a students’ social tool will increase the visibility of library resources: Information AwarenessSocial Networks:

FacebookMyspaceOrkut

Friendfeed- Facebook

Notes - Facebook

Posted Items - Facebook

Indian ScenarioCharacteristics of Internet usersApproximately 40 million and growingMostly college students below 35 yrsGeneral dissatisfaction about library services and infrastructureWeb 2.0 tools offer an opportunity

Adding Value setting up blogs, instant messaging, wikis using Facebook, RSS feeds and widgets offering more spaces within library for podcasts, vodcasts or any new technological product for the webopting for more personalization tools and rating optionscustomizing curriculum resource pages,offering Web 2.0 classes for the public on blogging, etc.

VisionMore and more electronic journals will develop RSS feedsIncreased use of applications such as Facebook with imported FeedsMore collaboration among students, researchers, faculty members and librariansMore outreach necessary

Thank You!Thank you very much and have fun using Web 2.0 Applications.Please send us your feedback.Interested in creating and developing acollaboration?Contact us anytime at:

Jay Bhatt, bhattjj@drexel.eduSmita Chandra, smtcd79@gmail.comDana Denick, dld58@drexel.edu