Internet 2.0 tools and Brazilian university libraries: usage survey and its implications

Abstract

Introduction: It introduces the concept of Library 2.0, and how services and products oriented in this perspective would transform traditional libraries into more interactive and dynamic environments. It shows how the tools 2.0 - blogs, microblogging, social networks, wikis, portals of sharing pictures and videos, among others - can provide an improvement of communication processes, information transmission and knowledge acquisition, bringing together the Library, the librarians and users. Method: A qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed at web sites of Brazilian public university libraries (including the Federal District) aiming to seek 2.0 tools usage. Results: It was found that nineteen libraries - of a sample of twenty seven - use at least one 2.0 tool. Three groups of 2.0 tools were found as being preferential (Sources RSS, Microblogs and Social Networks). Reading Social Network, wikis and instant messaging tools weren´t found in any of the sites analyzed. Conclusions: Brazilian public university libraries still have a modest participation on the 2.0 sphere, which reduces the potential of communication, interaction and collaboration between users and librarians.