Evaluation

Per exercise 10, I am to look at Web 2.0 aspects of my local library service - in this case, Warringah Libraries.

Children's

There is a children's service on the library website, designated as "kid's space." Of the functions present, there are some that are digital in nature. This includes "homework help" (with links to websites provided, said links focused on particular topics), "find a good read" (includes links to NoveList), and "digital kids" (e-books, and a streaming service for book reading by well-known actors). However, I can't really call any of these examples of a Web 2.0 mentality in that they're not user-created, driven, or anything that involves user-generated content. It's more the library providing a service for users. There are, however, two reasons why I have listed this section as an example of Web 2.0.

The first is that all of these options, and every other option in the kid's space section, has the option to share the information on social media, through sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. The characteristics of Web 2.0 include the sharing of information and participation in the sharing/creation of that information. So at the least, the opportunity to spread these services through social media does show an awareness of Web 2.0 features on the library's part.

The second feature is actually the young writer's competition, an annual event the library has held since 2011, where children submit a piece of writing, with commended submissions being put on display, with access through the site. I would argue that this is an example of Web 2.0 in action, in that it is user-generated content (the writing) making its way onto the net. While it does not have the same level of reader imput as other sites that allow writing submissions (e.g. Fictionpress), the act of involving people to submit something that will make its way online is, I would argue, something that Web 2.0 has allowed for.

Adult Fiction

Of the library branches that I have worked in/visited, adult fiction has always been categorized in its own section, with genres given by spine stickers. On the library website, there is no such distinction. While an online catalogue exists, it does not include a filter by intended age range. It does include a star rating system (1-5), so that in itself is an example of user-driven content.

Aside from this, the only example of adult fiction that I can say utilizes Web 2.0 is the book club feature. Not that this is necessarily reserved for adults, but with the listed works being adult fiction/non-fiction, with the promotional image depicting adult, and the list of book clubs seeming to veer towards adult content, I would list this as a service focused on adults.

The service itself allows users to register book clubs and/or join them. The library will provide the club with ten copies of the same book, and the club will operate as it sees fit. I would call this as an example of Web 2.0, in that the technology itself allows for people to connect, and is an example of user-driven content (creating of book clubs, and adding to the list of available works).

Local Studies

Having worked in Local Studies (and am still working at this time of writing), I can say that this section is very focused on physical media - physical books, physical objects, physical newspaper cuttings, etc. While it is intended that the newspaper cuttings at least are eventually uploaded, for the most part, they are regulated to archive status.

That said, there is an aspect of Local Studies that represents Web 2.0, in as much that a lot of it comes from members of the public. This includes photos, where uploaded versions can be found here. Again, an example of Web 2.0 in that it is user-generated content appearing in digital form.