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Table 8 displays five features of Instant Messaging in Australasian University libraries. Owing to the nature of Instant Messaging technology, some features of IM could not be surveyed. “Text-based chat’ was offered by five libraries (10.6 %) while only one library offered “Voice chat’ (University of Western Sydney). The number of libraries that offered voice chat in reality might be higher. However, all five libraries allowed only their members (students and staff) to use the chat services. Therefore, an overall evaluation of IM could not be done because of the lack of authorized access. Table 8: Features of IM

Table 8 displays five features of Instant Messaging in Australasian University libraries. Owing to the nature of Instant Messaging technology, some features of IM could not be surveyed. “Text-based chat’ was offered by five libraries (10.6 %) while only one library offered “Voice chat’ (University of Western Sydney). The number of libraries that offered voice chat in reality might be higher. However, all five libraries allowed only their members (students and staff) to use the chat services. Therefore, an overall evaluation of IM could not be done because of the lack of authorized access. Table 8: Features of IM

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Table1: General Web 2.0 application indexes in Australasian university libraries 5.1. General Web 2.0 application indexes 5. Results and discussions
Table1: General Web 2.0 application indexes in Australasian university libraries 5.1. General Web 2.0 application indexes 5. Results and discussions
Figure 1: Types of Web 2.0 used in Australasian university libraries Figure 1 shows the types of Web 2.0 technologies employed in Australasian niversity libraries. Only four Web 2.0 technologies (RSS, Blogs, Instant Messaging and -odcasts) were used. It is clear from the figure ipplied RSS (30 out of 47 libraries). Among 32 li that approximately 64 % of the libraries braries used Web 2.0 technologies, only 2 ibraries did not have RSS (Charles Sturt and Massey University libraries). RSS was also the nost commonly used technology while IM was t 10.6 %). The popularity of RSS may be due to its he least used one with only five libraries clear function, simplicity and easiness. As stephens (2006d) affirms, RSS has been one of the most utilized technologies as it enables isers to create a one-stop-shop of information. Users can easily and flexibly subscribe to nformation that meets their needs. On the contrary, IM was the least used even though it is a ood technology for the library to implement virtual reference services. The reason is that uch a technology requires librarians to be always online to support users. Therefore, some ibraries possibly did not employ it because of a lack of library staff.
Figure 1: Types of Web 2.0 used in Australasian university libraries Figure 1 shows the types of Web 2.0 technologies employed in Australasian niversity libraries. Only four Web 2.0 technologies (RSS, Blogs, Instant Messaging and -odcasts) were used. It is clear from the figure ipplied RSS (30 out of 47 libraries). Among 32 li that approximately 64 % of the libraries braries used Web 2.0 technologies, only 2 ibraries did not have RSS (Charles Sturt and Massey University libraries). RSS was also the nost commonly used technology while IM was t 10.6 %). The popularity of RSS may be due to its he least used one with only five libraries clear function, simplicity and easiness. As stephens (2006d) affirms, RSS has been one of the most utilized technologies as it enables isers to create a one-stop-shop of information. Users can easily and flexibly subscribe to nformation that meets their needs. On the contrary, IM was the least used even though it is a ood technology for the library to implement virtual reference services. The reason is that uch a technology requires librarians to be always online to support users. Therefore, some ibraries possibly did not employ it because of a lack of library staff.
Table 2: Purposes of RSS use Table 2 provides the number of libraries that used RSS for different purposes. The primary purpose of RSS was ‘New books’ (25 libraries used — accounted for 53.2 %). Most of these libraries used RSS for new books in specific fields, subjects or branch libraries. Only few of them used RSS for all new books (New South Wales University library categorised new books feeds according to the research fields and courses). Also, South Australia University library used RSS for all new books of the library and RSS feeds were categorized in Dewey Decimal Classification (see Figure 2) that made it very convenient for users. 5.3. Purposes of the use of Web 2.0 5.3.1. Purposes of RSS Tm) Fr.» TFT ©... ££ EnRaoa |
Table 2: Purposes of RSS use Table 2 provides the number of libraries that used RSS for different purposes. The primary purpose of RSS was ‘New books’ (25 libraries used — accounted for 53.2 %). Most of these libraries used RSS for new books in specific fields, subjects or branch libraries. Only few of them used RSS for all new books (New South Wales University library categorised new books feeds according to the research fields and courses). Also, South Australia University library used RSS for all new books of the library and RSS feeds were categorized in Dewey Decimal Classification (see Figure 2) that made it very convenient for users. 5.3. Purposes of the use of Web 2.0 5.3.1. Purposes of RSS Tm) Fr.» TFT ©... ££ EnRaoa |
Figure 2: RSS for ‘New books’ of South Australia University library
Figure 2: RSS for ‘New books’ of South Australia University library
Table 3 shows the list of purposes of blogs use. More than a third of libraries (34 %) used blogs for ‘Library services’ and a similar percentage of libraries used blogs for “Library news and events’. These were the two main purposes of blogs that enabled library users to be aware of library services such as opening hours, borrowing services, and questions and answers relating to library services. As discussed above, many libraries used RSS for ‘Library news and events’. Thus, ‘Library news and events’ is one of the main purposes of Web 2.0 application. Table 3: Purposes of Blogs use
Table 3 shows the list of purposes of blogs use. More than a third of libraries (34 %) used blogs for ‘Library services’ and a similar percentage of libraries used blogs for “Library news and events’. These were the two main purposes of blogs that enabled library users to be aware of library services such as opening hours, borrowing services, and questions and answers relating to library services. As discussed above, many libraries used RSS for ‘Library news and events’. Thus, ‘Library news and events’ is one of the main purposes of Web 2.0 application. Table 3: Purposes of Blogs use
As Table 4 shows, the top three purposes of podcasts were ‘Advice on library skills’, ‘Guidance with resources’ and ‘Library orientation tours’. It is notable that these are not easy O present in text or other media. Therefore, audio files (podcasts) are one of good ways to help library users be familiar with general library skills, library resources and library environment. Audio files are usually large hence library podcasts did not focus on purposes/services that can be presented by other Web 2.0 technologies (Blogs, RSS). As a result, not many library podcasts were used for ‘Library news’, “Book reviews’ and ‘Study skills workshops’. Also, there were no podcasts for ‘General information’ because users could ook for such information in news websites. Table 4: Purposes of Podcasts use
As Table 4 shows, the top three purposes of podcasts were ‘Advice on library skills’, ‘Guidance with resources’ and ‘Library orientation tours’. It is notable that these are not easy O present in text or other media. Therefore, audio files (podcasts) are one of good ways to help library users be familiar with general library skills, library resources and library environment. Audio files are usually large hence library podcasts did not focus on purposes/services that can be presented by other Web 2.0 technologies (Blogs, RSS). As a result, not many library podcasts were used for ‘Library news’, “Book reviews’ and ‘Study skills workshops’. Also, there were no podcasts for ‘General information’ because users could ook for such information in news websites. Table 4: Purposes of Podcasts use
able 5 presents the purposes of LM use. It 1s clear that LVI was mostly used as a tool or virtual reference services in terms of chat services. According to Stephens (2006c), IM is in integral tool for reference services and at least 75 % American libraries use IM for their eference services. However, as Figure 1 shows, IM was the least used in comparison with ther Web 2.0 technologies. Only 10.6 % of Australasian university libraries used IM for eference services. Modest numbers of libraries used IM for other purposes such as ‘Guidance vith resources’ and ‘Advice on library services’ (8.5 % and 6.4 %, respectively). IM was also ised for consultation about assignments and guidance on using research tools (University of south Australia library). As presented above, all chat services in Australasian university ibraries require users to login before using the services. Therefore, the research could only sarry out a survey on this service based on its introduction and instructions.
able 5 presents the purposes of LM use. It 1s clear that LVI was mostly used as a tool or virtual reference services in terms of chat services. According to Stephens (2006c), IM is in integral tool for reference services and at least 75 % American libraries use IM for their eference services. However, as Figure 1 shows, IM was the least used in comparison with ther Web 2.0 technologies. Only 10.6 % of Australasian university libraries used IM for eference services. Modest numbers of libraries used IM for other purposes such as ‘Guidance vith resources’ and ‘Advice on library services’ (8.5 % and 6.4 %, respectively). IM was also ised for consultation about assignments and guidance on using research tools (University of south Australia library). As presented above, all chat services in Australasian university ibraries require users to login before using the services. Therefore, the research could only sarry out a survey on this service based on its introduction and instructions.
Table 6: Features of RSS Table 6 shows typical features of RSS in Australasian university libraries. Most of the libraries (using RSS) either provided links to websites offering RSS reader function (18 libraries — 38 %) or provided links to download RSS readers (17 libraries — 36.2 %). These were very helpful for library users, especially new users who were not familiar with RSS readers. Some libraries did not provide such help for users such as library of University of New England and Swinburne University library. 5.4. Features of Web 2.0 applications 5.4.1. Features of RSS Tahlo he Ronturoc nt RCP
Table 6: Features of RSS Table 6 shows typical features of RSS in Australasian university libraries. Most of the libraries (using RSS) either provided links to websites offering RSS reader function (18 libraries — 38 %) or provided links to download RSS readers (17 libraries — 36.2 %). These were very helpful for library users, especially new users who were not familiar with RSS readers. Some libraries did not provide such help for users such as library of University of New England and Swinburne University library. 5.4. Features of Web 2.0 applications 5.4.1. Features of RSS Tahlo he Ronturoc nt RCP
Table 7: Features of Blogs
Table 7: Features of Blogs
Figure 3: Library blog at La Trobe University
Figure 3: Library blog at La Trobe University
Due to the fact that podcasts were applied to a limited number of topics and because of features of audio files, not many podcasts were available on Australasian university library websites. Some libraries had a low number of podcasts such as University of Sydney library (only 3 podcasts). Other libraries had modest numbers (around 20 - 40) even though they had employed podcasts for a year. Table 9: Features of Podcasts
Due to the fact that podcasts were applied to a limited number of topics and because of features of audio files, not many podcasts were available on Australasian university library websites. Some libraries had a low number of podcasts such as University of Sydney library (only 3 podcasts). Other libraries had modest numbers (around 20 - 40) even though they had employed podcasts for a year. Table 9: Features of Podcasts
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