Web 2.0 and academic libraries: A survey investigating uptake among university students

Abstract

Web 2.0 technologies provide an alternative creative Launchpad both for libraries and their users to create access and share information. The concept of libraries 2.0 represents modern efforts made by the library community to engage its users and market its services and online tools to the public through Web 2.0 eliminating geographical, temporal or economic constraints. This study aimed to examine the use of Web 2.0 library services and mobile technology, by university students in an academic environment. The findings of this study will be used to inform the design of information literacy programs specifically focused on the use of these services by university students. A web-based questionnaire survey was used to collect data of the respondents that consisted of all undergraduate students in the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology of ATEI of Thessaloniki. Findings indicated that although students of Department, use some of the Web 2.0 tools and services, they do not possess a deep knowledge and familiarity with the majority of the tools, and their use of educational settings.