Dissemination of knowledge at the speed of thought is the need of the hour. Hence the libraries and information centers should be the forerunners in utilizing the latest technologies, especially information communication technologies, to serve the indispensable information needs of the user community. They should also act as facilitators in knowledge sharing. It is the community building technologies of the Web 2.0 that need to be utilized to the optimum extent by the libraries to develop scholarly communities. The present study is aimed at exploring the state-of-the-art of the use of Twitter by the modern libraries to disseminate information/knowledge to their users. The objectives of the study are to find out whether Twitter is used for social networking in the libraries of the United States of America (U.S.)? Which way libraries in U.S. are using Twitter? What information is communicated through Twitter? Whether U.S. library Twitter accounts have any followers? The methodology applied for the study is a survey of the entire universe of Twitter accounts of U.S. libraries that are found in websites like Lindy Brown's blog. The findings of the study are: U.S. libraries use Twitter to provide alert and current awareness services to their users. Library Twitter accounts are not followed by encouraging number of followers.
Philanthropy is regarded as a voluntary private virtue for public good. Terms like Gifting, charity, fundraising, contributions, generosity, donations, aid, bequests, offerings, handouts, patronage are sometimes synonymously or interchangeably used for philanthropy. There are public, private, corporate philanthropic foundations all over the world, that work in collaboration with NGOs and other governmental organisations towards social good. Despite economic challenges faced worldwide, global philanthropy is predicted to continue its growth. In the age of declining financial assistance for libraries, un-certain economic condition, budget cuts libraries are facing a lot of economic crunch. To preserve libraries, philanthropy is most crucial and essential. Most of general public do not have multi-million dollar fortunes to donate, but this does not mean that smaller donations have less impact than larger ones. Libraries depend on various forms of giving. This paper investigates philanthropy with special reference to libraries in India.
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