Medical Librarian 2.0: Use of Web 2.0 Technologies in Reference Services

Citation

Fourie, I. (2008), "Medical Librarian 2.0: Use of Web 2.0 Technologies in Reference Services", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 26 No. 4, pp. 689-690. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830810921030

Given the growing interest in the use of social networking technologies, library and information services, including medical and health libraries, must take note of the possibilities offered by social networking technologies. Medical Librarian 2.0 can make some contribution in this regard.

Under the capable editorship of Sandra Wood the reader is introduced to nine chapters covering various aspects of Web 2.0 technologies and how these can be applied in medical libraries. In the introduction Wood sets the scene:

By the time this volume is published, newer technologies will have appeared, as the web is constantly changing. The technologies described here, though, show great promise for use by libraries in their constant search to be more relevant to users.

Elizabeth Connor gives an overview of Library 2.0, explaining that it is important to understand the concept and its applications when planning for the future. Ana Cleveland and Jodi Philbrick explore virtual references services for academic health sciences librarians and offers a review of virtual reference in academic health sciences libraries in the United States and Canada. Alexia Estabrook and David Rothman discuss the applications of RSS in health sciences libraries and how RSS can be used with blogs, databases and other web‐based sources. It seems especially useful for selective dissemination of information (SDI) services.

The principles of producing, organizing and distributing podcasts in health sciences libraries and education are explored by Nadine Ellero, Ryan Looney and Bart Ragon. They describe it as a disruptive technology. Nancy Lombardo, Sharon Dennis and Derek Cowan explore the use of streaming video in health sciences libraries. Their discussion includes a review of the history of streaming media on the web. Their focus is on the services offered by the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library.

In addition Melissa Rethlefsen explores social networking, while Chad Fennell discusses content management and Web 2.0 with Drupal (open source software) as a content management tool. Mary Chimato discusses wikis and their use in both internal and external sharing of information, while Michelle Kraft, well‐known for her Krafty Librarian blog, describes the use of mash‐ups (i.e. a blend of two or more programs to produce a new, enhanced program) concerning the internet.

Even assuming that by the time the book is read there will be newer technologies, Medical Librarian 2.0 should be able to provide the reader with a sufficient background to explore the use of technologies that seem to hold potential for libraries and information services for at least a few more years, and to put the use of newer technologies in context. Since all chapters include extensive lists of references, Medical Librarian 2.0 can succeed in offering a useful point of departure to those interested in exploring technologies associated with Librarian 2.0. Although the publication focuses on examples relevant to health sciences libraries, it should be easy to apply the principles to other library types. Medical Librarian 2.0 is recommended to librarians (especially healthcare librarians) who wish to explore opportunities in implementing social networking technologies in their libraries.