Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/6991
Title: Web 2.0 and folksonomies in a library context
Authors: Anfinnsen, S
Ghinea, G
de Cesare, S
Keywords: Library 2.0;Folksonomies;Web 2.0;System development;Design research
Issue Date: 2011
Publisher: Elsevier
Citation: International Journal of Information Management, 31(1): 63 - 70, Feb 2011
Abstract: Libraries have a societal purpose and this role has become increasingly important as new technologies enable organizations to support, enable and enhance the participation of users in assuming an active role in the creation and communication of information. Folksonomies, a Web 2.0 technology, represent such an example. Folksonomies result from individuals freely tagging resources available to them on a computer network. In a library environment folksonomies have the potential of overcoming certain limitations of traditional classification systems such as the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). Typical limitations of this type of classification systems include, for example, the rigidity of the underlying taxonomical structures and the difficulty of introducing change in the categories. Folksonomies represent a supporting technology to existing classification systems helping to describe library resources more flexibly, dynamically and openly. As a review of the current literature shows, the adoption of folksonomies in libraries is novel and limited research has been carried out in the area. This paper presents research into the adoption of folksonomies for a University library. A Web 2.0 system was developed, based on the requirements collected from library stakeholders, and integrated with the existing library computer system. An evaluation of the work was carried out in the form of a survey in order to understand the possible reactions of users to folksonomies as well as the effects on their behavior. The broad conclusion of this work is that folksonomies seem to have a beneficial effect on users’ involvement as active library participants as well as encourage users to browse the catalogue in more depth.
Description: This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2011 Elsevier
URI: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268401210000678
http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/6991
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2010.05.006
ISSN: 0268-4012
Appears in Collections:Publications
Computer Science
Dept of Computer Science Research Papers

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
Fulltext.pdf262.35 kBAdobe PDFView/Open


Items in BURA are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.