Evolution of Web 1.0, 2.0, & 3.0 in Libraries

Evolution of Web 1.0, 2.0, & 3.0 in Libraries

Contents 1 Web 1.0 in Libraries 2 Web 2.0 in Libraries 3 Web 3.0 in Libraries 4 Further reading 5 References 6 See also

Web 1.0 in Libraries

Web 1.0 was designed by Tim Berners-Lee.

Web 1.0 is a platform of information that is read only. It consists of static and non-interactive web pages that at most allow for an interchange of documents. In 1996 for were 45 million global users. The focus of Web 1.0 was on companies and owning content.

Web 1.0 was used for Geocities, Hotmail, home pages, Netscape, Britannica Online, content management systems, HTML documents, page views, portals, directories, Yahoo!, dmoz, taxonomy, web forms, and advertising.

Web 2.0 in Libraries

Web 2.0 lacks an explicit definition. In general terms it is a platform for participation, a focus on communities, sharing content or user-generated content, and an interchange of data. The focus of Web 2.0 was on web applications. The success of Web 2.0 depended largely on word of mouth recommendations for viewing sites. Over 1 billion people were using Web 2.0 in 2006. In the era of Web 2.0, the consumer and content publisher differentiation is becoming less defined.

According to Walt Crawford, Library 2.0 encompasses a range of new and not-so-new software methodologies that can and will be useful for many libraries in providing new services and making existing services available in new and interesting ways.^[1] Libraries should embrace the revolution (or evolution).

LibraryThing embodies Web 2.0 features such as containing data; linking to multiple areas such as books, reviews, users, and catalogs; has services for individual recommendations; supports tagging and traditional subject headings; and supports the needs of the community.

Examples of Web 2.0 use include Flickr, YouTube, Digg, read-write Web, blogs, Wikipedia, RSS (Really Simple Syndication), social tagging "folksonomy", Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL), Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), Extensible Markup Language (XML), and Google.

Web 3.0 in Libraries

Some possible future uses of Web 3.0 include 3D web, the semantic web, and the real world web. Increases in computer processing power and higher bandwidth will allow 3D web to become a reality. 3D web will allow users to interact with one another in real time and explore information and virtual objects in new ways. Virtual worlds, such as 3D web, can be incorporated and used for information services and libraries. In order for 3D web to become popular with the general public, it is essential that it be browser friendly. The Alliance Virtual Library has had a presence on Second Life since 2006. The virtual library is staffed by volunteers and houses a variety of collections. RezLibris is an online magazine dedicated to Second Life librarians. Unfortunately, the Second Life wave did not take hold and gain popularity with the general population. Second Life requires software to be downloaded and higher computational requirements than the 'traditional web', involving a more complex set of computer skills to allow successful browsing and creation of content for the general public.^[2]

Web 3.0 is often referred to as the semantic web. The semantic web is a web of information that is meaningful to computers. The term is gaining popularity in vocabularies, however, it is often used incorrectly. Linked Data is about publishing and connecting related data from different websites in a way that is meaningful for computers.

Real world web applications incorporate the web world into the physical world around us. Quick Response (QR) codes can be incorporated into library catalogs. QR codes in library catalogs allow the patron to save the author, title, and shelf number of a book of interest on their smart phone. QR codes can also be incorporated into the library floor plan, and allow for an MP3 audio tour of an area of interest within the library. Libraries can also use real world sensors to allow the patron to keep informed on how busy the library is, and what conference, meeting rooms, computer terminals, etc. are available in real world time.

In order for Web 3.0 to be successful in libraries, librarians and information professionals need to leave the notion of individual data repositories behind and start thinking of interacting with data on the web as a large information resource.

Further reading

• Bailey, S. (2008). Managing the crowd: Rethinking records management for the Web 2.0 world. London: Facet Publishing. A thought-provoking book which questions the received wisdom and suggests radical new solutions to the very real issues records management faces.
• Gilchrist, A., & Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (Great Britain). (2009). Information science in transition. London (Eng.: Facet. Are we at a turning point in digital information? The expansion of the internet is unprecedented. Will information science become part of computer science and does rise of the term informatics demonstrate convergence of information science and information technology - a convergence that must surely develop? This work reflects on such issues.
• Nicholas, D. (2008). Digital consumers: Reshaping the information professions. London: Facet. There is a need for a fresh belief system that will help information professionals survive and engage in a ubiquitous information environment, where they are no longer the dominant players, nor, indeed, the suppliers of first choice. This book intends to provide that overarching vision, built on hard evidence rather than on PowerPoint 'puff'.
• Parkes, D., & Walton, G. (2010). Web 2.0 and libraries: Impacts, technologies and trends. Oxford: Chandos. With contributions from leading professionals, including lecturers, librarians and e-learning technologists, this book explores strategic approaches for effectively implementing, living with, and managing revolutionary technological change in libraries.

References

See also

• Moore's law
• Henriette Avram