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APPLICATIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEB 2.0 FOR RESEARCH SUPPORT IN SELECTED AFRICAN ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

Year 2015, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 30 - 39, 29.05.2015

Abstract

This study examined the use of Social Media/Web 2.0 for research support and it is guided by three objectives namely:  a) to ascertain the uses social media in academic institutions; b) to identify the challenges associated with social media use for research purposes and c) to provide experiences of social media application in selected African academic institutions. The study makes use of literature analysis in combination with personal and professional work experiences on the use of social media from librarians in four different countries. Institutional experiences by the four librarians showed that it is only Rhodes University Library that uses social media in its library, which is as a result of a formal social media strategy. For the other three universities, University of Education, Winneba Library in Ghana, Makerere University Library in Uganda and the University of Nigeria Library, the use of social media is not encouraging. They use it mostly for communication and interaction with colleagues. It was also discovered that there is no social media strategy available in these university libraries. Based on these findings, the study recommended the implementation of social media strategy, appointment of social media librarians in these libraries, and continuing professional development of librarians to keep abreast with current trends. Web 2.0/Social Media is a new technology offering new options for African academic librarians in their research support role.

References

  • Aharony, N. (2012). Facebook use in libraries: an exploratory analysis. Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives. Vol. 64 No. 4, 2012 pp. 358-372.
  • Baro, E, Idiodi, E and Godfrey, V. (2012). Awareness and use of Web 2.0 tools by librarians in university libraries in Nigeria. OCLC Systems & Services. Vol. 29 No. 3, 2013 pp. 170-188.
  • Boateng, F. and Liu, Y. Q. (2013). Web 2.0 applications’ usage and trends in top US academic libraries. Library Hi Tech Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 120-138.
  • Bosch, T.E. (2009). Using online social networking for teaching and learning: Facebook use at the University of Cape Town. Communication: South African Journal for Communication Theory and Research 35(2). Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02500160903250648 (Accessed 10th June, 2014).
  • Boyd, D. and Ellison, N. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication Volume 13, Issue 1, pages 210–230, Available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x/full (Accessed 17th June, 2014).
  • Cao, D. (2009). Chinese Library 2.0: Status and development. Chinese Librarianship: An International Electronic Journal, Vol. 2. Available at: http://www.iclc.us/cliej/cl27cao.htm (Accessed 12th June, 2014).
  • Chua, A.Y.K. and Goh, D.H. (2010). A study of Web 2.0 applications in library websites. Library & Information Science Research. Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 203-211.
  • Charnigo, L. and Barnett-Ellis, P. (2007). Checking out Facebook.com: the impact of a digital trend on academic libraries. Information Technology and Libraries, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 23-34.
  • Chu, S. (2009). Using Wikis in academic libraries. The Journal of Academic Librarianship. Vol. 35 No. 2, pp. 170-6.
  • Cvetkovic, M. (2009). Making Web 2.0 work – from ‘Librarian Habilis’ to ‘Librarian Sapiens’, Computers in Libraries. Vol. 29 No. 9, pp. 14-17.
  • Dickson, A. and Holley, R.P. (2010). Social networking in academic libraries: the possibilities and the concerns. New Library World. Vol. 111 No. 11/12, pp. 468-479. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03074801011094840 (Accessed 8th June, 2014).
  • Ekwelem,V.O Okafor, V.N and Ukwoma, S.C. (2013). Use of Social Networking Sites by Academic and Research Libraries: An exploratory study. International Journal of Research in Arts and Social Sciences (IJRASS) Vol. 6 Available at: http://www.academicexcellencesociety.com/journals_ijrass.html (Accessed 5th June, 2014).
  • Holmberg, K., Huvila, I., Kronqvist-Berg, M. and Wide´n-Wulff, G. (2009). What is Library 2.0? Journal of Documentation. Vol. 65 No. 4, pp. 668-681. (Accessed 10th June, 2014).
  • Jennings, S. (2012). To tweet, or not to tweet? Reference Services Review. Vol. 40 No. 2 pp. 214-216.
  • Joint, N (2010) Web 2.0 and the Library: A Transformational Technology? Library Review. Vol. 59 No. 7, pp. 489-497.
  • Lwoga, E. T. (2014). Integrating Web 2.0 into an academic library in Tanzania. The Electronic Library Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 183-202.
  • Madhusudhan, M.C. (2012). Use of social networking sites by research scholars of the University of Delhi: A study. Available at: http://di.doi.org/10.1016/j.iilr.2012.04.006 (Accessed 8th June, 2014).
  • Miranda, G, Gualtieri, F & Coccia, P (2010) How the new web generations are changing Library and Information Services. Medical reference Services Quarterly. 29 (2), 132-145.
  • Morris, A &Allen, K. (2008) Library 2.0 Technologies in Academic Libraries: A Case Study of Student Use and Perceptions. Paper presented at Online Information, London, December 1-3.
  • Mullan, J. (2009). Should we be more social: Law Librarians and Social Media. Legal Information Management, 9(3), 175-181.
  • Musser, J. and O'Reilly, T. (2007). Web 2.0 Principles and Practices, O'Reilly Media Inc., available at: http://oreilly.com/radar/web2report.csp (Accessed 8th September 2012)
  • Mutula, S.N (2011) Ethical and Moral Aspects of Social Media: Implications for sub Saharan Africa. Presented at SCECSAL XXth Conference hosted by KLA on 4th-8th June 2012, HoTEL Nairobi, Kenya. Available at: http://www.scecsal.viel.co.ke/images/7/73/Ethical_and_Moral_Aspects_of_Social_Media-_Implications_for_sub_Saharan_Africa.pdf (Accessed 12th June, 2014).
  • Nogueira M (2010) Archives in Web 2.0: New Opportunities. Ariadne: A web and print magazine of Internet Issues for Librarians and Information Specialists, Vol. 30, No. 63.
  • O’Reilly, T. (2005). Web 2.0: compact definition? Available at: http://radar.oreilly.com/2005/10/ web-20-compact-definition.html (Accessed 7th June, 2014).
  • Phillips, H (2009) Under the Influence of Web 2.0. Available from: http://www.creativeheather.com/docs/Influencesofweb2.0.pdf (Accessed 14th June, 2014)
  • Rhodes University Library Services (2013). Annual Report.
  • Available at: http://www.ru.ac.za/library/aboutus/reports/ (Accessed 20th June, 2014)
  • Roblyer, M.D, McDaniel, M, Webb, M, Herman, J. and Witty, J V. (2010). Findings on Facebook in Higher Education: Comparison of College Faculty and Student Uses and perceptions of Social Networking Sites. Internet and Higher Education, Vol. 13 pp. 134-140. Available at :http://und.edu/health-wellness/healthy-und/relationships-findings-on facebook-missy.pdf (Accessed 2nd June, 2014).
  • Ruleman, A.B. (2012). Comparison of student and faculty technology use. Library Hi
  • Tech News. Number 3 16-19. Available at http://di.doi.org/10.1108/07419051211241877.(Accessed 10th June, 2014).
  • Wasike, J. (2013). Social media ethical issues: role of a librarian. Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 30 No.1, pp.8 - 16.
  • Available at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=17085674
  • (Accessed 10th June, 2014).
Year 2015, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 30 - 39, 29.05.2015

Abstract

References

  • Aharony, N. (2012). Facebook use in libraries: an exploratory analysis. Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives. Vol. 64 No. 4, 2012 pp. 358-372.
  • Baro, E, Idiodi, E and Godfrey, V. (2012). Awareness and use of Web 2.0 tools by librarians in university libraries in Nigeria. OCLC Systems & Services. Vol. 29 No. 3, 2013 pp. 170-188.
  • Boateng, F. and Liu, Y. Q. (2013). Web 2.0 applications’ usage and trends in top US academic libraries. Library Hi Tech Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 120-138.
  • Bosch, T.E. (2009). Using online social networking for teaching and learning: Facebook use at the University of Cape Town. Communication: South African Journal for Communication Theory and Research 35(2). Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02500160903250648 (Accessed 10th June, 2014).
  • Boyd, D. and Ellison, N. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication Volume 13, Issue 1, pages 210–230, Available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x/full (Accessed 17th June, 2014).
  • Cao, D. (2009). Chinese Library 2.0: Status and development. Chinese Librarianship: An International Electronic Journal, Vol. 2. Available at: http://www.iclc.us/cliej/cl27cao.htm (Accessed 12th June, 2014).
  • Chua, A.Y.K. and Goh, D.H. (2010). A study of Web 2.0 applications in library websites. Library & Information Science Research. Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 203-211.
  • Charnigo, L. and Barnett-Ellis, P. (2007). Checking out Facebook.com: the impact of a digital trend on academic libraries. Information Technology and Libraries, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 23-34.
  • Chu, S. (2009). Using Wikis in academic libraries. The Journal of Academic Librarianship. Vol. 35 No. 2, pp. 170-6.
  • Cvetkovic, M. (2009). Making Web 2.0 work – from ‘Librarian Habilis’ to ‘Librarian Sapiens’, Computers in Libraries. Vol. 29 No. 9, pp. 14-17.
  • Dickson, A. and Holley, R.P. (2010). Social networking in academic libraries: the possibilities and the concerns. New Library World. Vol. 111 No. 11/12, pp. 468-479. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03074801011094840 (Accessed 8th June, 2014).
  • Ekwelem,V.O Okafor, V.N and Ukwoma, S.C. (2013). Use of Social Networking Sites by Academic and Research Libraries: An exploratory study. International Journal of Research in Arts and Social Sciences (IJRASS) Vol. 6 Available at: http://www.academicexcellencesociety.com/journals_ijrass.html (Accessed 5th June, 2014).
  • Holmberg, K., Huvila, I., Kronqvist-Berg, M. and Wide´n-Wulff, G. (2009). What is Library 2.0? Journal of Documentation. Vol. 65 No. 4, pp. 668-681. (Accessed 10th June, 2014).
  • Jennings, S. (2012). To tweet, or not to tweet? Reference Services Review. Vol. 40 No. 2 pp. 214-216.
  • Joint, N (2010) Web 2.0 and the Library: A Transformational Technology? Library Review. Vol. 59 No. 7, pp. 489-497.
  • Lwoga, E. T. (2014). Integrating Web 2.0 into an academic library in Tanzania. The Electronic Library Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 183-202.
  • Madhusudhan, M.C. (2012). Use of social networking sites by research scholars of the University of Delhi: A study. Available at: http://di.doi.org/10.1016/j.iilr.2012.04.006 (Accessed 8th June, 2014).
  • Miranda, G, Gualtieri, F & Coccia, P (2010) How the new web generations are changing Library and Information Services. Medical reference Services Quarterly. 29 (2), 132-145.
  • Morris, A &Allen, K. (2008) Library 2.0 Technologies in Academic Libraries: A Case Study of Student Use and Perceptions. Paper presented at Online Information, London, December 1-3.
  • Mullan, J. (2009). Should we be more social: Law Librarians and Social Media. Legal Information Management, 9(3), 175-181.
  • Musser, J. and O'Reilly, T. (2007). Web 2.0 Principles and Practices, O'Reilly Media Inc., available at: http://oreilly.com/radar/web2report.csp (Accessed 8th September 2012)
  • Mutula, S.N (2011) Ethical and Moral Aspects of Social Media: Implications for sub Saharan Africa. Presented at SCECSAL XXth Conference hosted by KLA on 4th-8th June 2012, HoTEL Nairobi, Kenya. Available at: http://www.scecsal.viel.co.ke/images/7/73/Ethical_and_Moral_Aspects_of_Social_Media-_Implications_for_sub_Saharan_Africa.pdf (Accessed 12th June, 2014).
  • Nogueira M (2010) Archives in Web 2.0: New Opportunities. Ariadne: A web and print magazine of Internet Issues for Librarians and Information Specialists, Vol. 30, No. 63.
  • O’Reilly, T. (2005). Web 2.0: compact definition? Available at: http://radar.oreilly.com/2005/10/ web-20-compact-definition.html (Accessed 7th June, 2014).
  • Phillips, H (2009) Under the Influence of Web 2.0. Available from: http://www.creativeheather.com/docs/Influencesofweb2.0.pdf (Accessed 14th June, 2014)
  • Rhodes University Library Services (2013). Annual Report.
  • Available at: http://www.ru.ac.za/library/aboutus/reports/ (Accessed 20th June, 2014)
  • Roblyer, M.D, McDaniel, M, Webb, M, Herman, J. and Witty, J V. (2010). Findings on Facebook in Higher Education: Comparison of College Faculty and Student Uses and perceptions of Social Networking Sites. Internet and Higher Education, Vol. 13 pp. 134-140. Available at :http://und.edu/health-wellness/healthy-und/relationships-findings-on facebook-missy.pdf (Accessed 2nd June, 2014).
  • Ruleman, A.B. (2012). Comparison of student and faculty technology use. Library Hi
  • Tech News. Number 3 16-19. Available at http://di.doi.org/10.1108/07419051211241877.(Accessed 10th June, 2014).
  • Wasike, J. (2013). Social media ethical issues: role of a librarian. Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 30 No.1, pp.8 - 16.
  • Available at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=17085674
  • (Accessed 10th June, 2014).
There are 33 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Regular Papers
Authors

Christopher Owusu-ansah

Vuyokazi Gontshi This is me

Lois Mutibwa This is me

Scholarstica Ukwoma This is me

Publication Date May 29, 2015
Published in Issue Year 2015 Volume: 3 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Owusu-ansah, C., Gontshi, V., Mutibwa, L., Ukwoma, S. (2015). APPLICATIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEB 2.0 FOR RESEARCH SUPPORT IN SELECTED AFRICAN ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. Journal of Balkan Libraries Union, 3(1), 30-39. https://doi.org/10.16918/bluj.77572