Taking the information to the
public through Library 2.0
Kevin Curran, Michelle Murray and Martin Christian
Faculty of Engineering, University of Ulster, Londonderry, UK
Abstract
Purpose – Libraries as they are known today can be defined by the term Library 1.0. This defines the
way resources are kept on shelves or at a computer behind a login. These resources can be taken from
a shelf, checked out to the librarian, taken home for a certain length of time and absorbed, and then
taken back to the library for someone else to use. Library 1.0 is a one-directional service that takes
people to the information that they require. Library 2.0 – or L2 as it is now more commonly addressed
as – aims to take the information to the people by bringing the library service to the internet and
getting the users more involved by encouraging feedback participation. This paper seeks to present an
overview of Library 2.0.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents an overview of Web 2.0 including
definitions, technologies involved and sites currently advocated as examples of Web 2.0.
Findings – The major difference between Library 1.0 and L2 is that Library 1.0 only allows for a
one-way flow of information while L2 is a read-write library that gives library users the power to
decide the service that they get. L2 reinforces the role libraries play in the community by building on
today’s best and continually improving the service. L2 can be summarized as being user-driven and
aiming to save each library user time in retrieving information.
Originality/value – Libraries have been around for centuries and are considered places in which
books, journals, CDs, etc. are kept for reference or for borrowing by the public. The term L2 was
believed to have been first made by Michael Casey in his blog LibraryCrunch. Chad and Paul Miller
describe Library 2.0 (L2) as a concept, very different from the service one knows today, that operates
according to the expectations of today’s users. They state that with this concept the library will make
information available wherever and whenever the user requires it. One point to note here is that this
concept is not about replacing the 1.0 technology already being used but rather about adding
additional functionality.
Keywords Library and information networks, Information services, User interfaces
Paper type Conceptual paper
Introduction
Libraries were never the primary source of knowledge but they have always played a
major role where people of all ages, gender and religion could go and engage with the
various forms of resources. This is proven by the fact that 96 percent (Chad and Miller,
2005) of people of been to a library at some point in their lives and 89 percent of the UK
population trust libraries. Library 2.0 (L2) wants this to remain but it has new aims
that it hopes will work. The term L2 was believed to be first made by Micheal Casey in
his blog LibraryCrunch. (Chad and Miller, 2005) describe Library 2.0 (L2) as a concept,
very different from the service we know today, that operates according to the
expectations of today’s users. They state that with this concept the library will make
information available wherever and whenever the user requires it. One point to note
here is that this concept is not about replacing the traditional technology adopted by
libraries already in use but rather about adding additional functionality. Most internet
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
LHT
25,2
288
Received 10 August 2006
Revised 16 January 2007
Accepted 11 February 2007
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 25 No. 2, 2007
pp. 288-297
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830710755036