Publication Date

Summer 2012

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

Department

Library and Information Science

Advisor

Geoffrey Liu

Keywords

Archives, Social Media, Web 2.0

Subject Areas

Library science

Abstract

Web 2.0 technologies have fundamentally changed the way in which people interact and find information online. Archives are attempting to utilize Web 2.0 technologies to reach new users and promote their collections, but many have implemented these technologies without a full understanding of how to use them appropriately. Research has been conducted concerning libraries implementing Web 2.0 technologies, but much of the research involving archives has consisted of anecdotal evidence and is limited in scope. This research fills that gap by gathering data on the use of many different technologies by different kinds of archives around the globe.

Using surveys and semi-structured interviews, the researcher gathered information on what technologies archives are using as well as how and why they are used. He then discusses the various problems that confront archivists of all types seeking to implement Web 2.0 technologies. Finally, the study concludes with a discussion of the implications of these problems and offering a set of exemplary practices that can be utilized by archives seeking to implement Web 2.0 technologies successfully.

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