Library in 3D virtual world: a critical review
09 May 2019-Vol. 49, Iss: 2, pp 213-228
TL;DR: A narrative account of libraries’ presence in the virtual world in combination with an overview of how libraries respond to the 3D environment is presented, which indicates that users use this exciting 3D medium to satisfy their information requirement.
Abstract: Purpose
The purpose of the present study is to explore the possibility of introducing a 3D environment in the library by reviewing current literature and to provide a good understanding of different purposes of using this immersive environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The present paper is a narrative account of libraries’ presence in the virtual world in combination with an overview of how libraries respond to the 3D environment. Relevant data for the review paper have been collected from library websites, books, journal articles, interview, etc.
Findings
The study found purposive involvement of libraries in this immersive environment which indicates that users use this exciting 3D medium to satisfy their information requirement.
Research limitations/implications
The paper basically considers publications containing observations of broader research community in the relevant field and contents in websites dealing with virtual world and outlines the major features as discussed in available documents. The review study infers that the implementation of 3D project in libraries requires a mindset for the specific approach, from the end of both librarians and users, together with involvement of funds. Therefore, a library may start with a beta project and observe the effectiveness from the users’ perspective before embarking on a full-fledged project.
Originality/value
With numerous examples, as evident from publications and websites, the current review study makes an attempt to improve the understanding of librarians towards informed selection of projected purposes to be integrated with the virtual world from library perspective. The study also presents different approaches of libraries motivating users in the virtual world that other libraries may follow while considering their 3D library project.
Citations
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TL;DR: In this paper , the authors explore the existence of Metaverse or 3D virtual libraries and how they use Metaverse to expand library services, and they use literature to search projects and research papers that discuss the metaverse library.
Abstract:
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the existence of Metaverse or 3D virtual libraries and how they use Metaverse to expand library services.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use literature to search projects and research papers that discuss the metaverse library. They also did observations on metaverse libraries.
Findings
There are some virtual realities or metaverse platforms that a library or virtual community can use to build their 3D virtual world. Some libraries already create a virtual world library or metaverse library. However, those initiatives are still in the prototype stage and are used for exhibitions and projects.
Originality/value
This paper overviews and builds a simple understanding of the metaverse library. The value of the paper is giving motivation when building the metaverse library. This initiative shows that big hi-tech companies do not dominate Metaverse.
References
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TL;DR: The findings suggest that the order of popularity of Web 2.0 applications implemented in libraries is: blogs, RSS, instant messaging, social networking services, wikis, and social tagging applications.
163 citations
TL;DR: This study is useful for Australasian university libraries in evaluating/deploying Web 2.0 technologies and library managers, librarians and other university libraries may also find this helpful once they want to implement such technologies in their libraries.
Abstract: Purpose: This paper aims to provide an overall picture of the application of Web 2.0 technologies in Australasian university libraries. The focus of the research was what types of Web 2.0 technologies were applied in such libraries as well as their purposes and features. Design/methodology/approach: Content analysis was used in terms of quantitative approach. A checklist as the main research instrument was developed based on other checklists and questionnaires, and synthesized ideas from literature. Data were collected by accessing all Australasian university library web sites within two weeks. Then, Microsoft Excel was utilized as a main tool to synthesize and analyze data, and present results. Findings: At least two‐thirds of Australasian university libraries deployed one or more Web 2.0 technologies. Only four Web 2.0 technologies were used for specific purposes and with some basic features. The general Web 2.0 application indexes were still low as the mean application index was 12 points and the highest index was 37 points (out of 100). Research limitations/implications: A combination of content analysis with survey and/or interview may enable future researchers to analyze other aspects (e.g. the application of internal wikis or the use of instant messaging for reference services) of Web 2.0 that a single method of content analysis could not gain. Originality/value: This unique study explores the application of Web 2.0 in a wide scope including any Australasian university libraries that deployed any types of Web 2.0 technologies. This study is useful for Australasian university libraries in evaluating/deploying Web 2.0. Library managers, librarians and other university libraries may also find this helpful once they want to implement such technologies in their libraries.
141 citations
TL;DR: Results reveal that 37 university libraries use RSS feeds for dissemination of library news, events and announcements and 15 university libraries provide blog space for users.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore recent trends in the application of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 features as exemplified through university library web sites around the world.Design/methodology/approach – The top 100 universities from the ranked list of 200 provided on the Times Higher Education web site were considered for collection of data and from this list a selection was made of 57 of these universities. This selection was based on whether the site was in English and whether it had at least one Web 2.0 feature. For each of these universities their web sites were visited and data on their Web 2.0 features (such as Blogs, RSS, Instant Messaging, Wikis and the like) were collected and analyzed.Findings – Results reveal that 37 university libraries use RSS feeds for dissemination of library news, events and announcements and 15 university libraries provide blog space for users. Whereas wiki is the least applied Web 2.0 technology, with only one university using it, Instant Messaging is anot...
134 citations
TL;DR: A reconnaissance of major academic libraries located in Australia, Canada, the U.K. and U.S.A that have embraced Web 2.0 tools for enhancing library services for users is provided.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide a reconnaissance of major academic libraries located in Australia, Canada, the U.K. and U.S.A. that have embraced Web 2.0 tools for enhancing library services. The research is based on a survey of websites of 277 university libraries. The checkpoints used for this evaluative study were given by Nguyen (2008) for evaluating various Web 2.0 tools. Additional checkpoints were arrived at after visiting and browsing the various sites. The findings of the study acknowledge the strength of Web 2.0 tools in improving library services for users. Really Simple Syndication (RSS), Instant Messaging (IM) and blogs are popular in academic libraries. The paper concludes by offering best practices for implementing Web 2.0 tools in academic libraries.
122 citations
TL;DR: The study explores the use of this emerging mobile app using the official WeChat accounts of the top 39 academic libraries in China and uses six aspects of quality to evaluate the interaction and content delivered by WeChat.
113 citations