Social Software in Academic Libraries for Internal Communication and Knowledge Management: A Comparison of Two Reference Blog Implementations

Abstract

This article investigates the adoption of new innovations for internal reference desk communication and knowledge managementin academic libraries, specifically the use of social software tools. Actual implementations of the free blog software Wordpress from two university libraries are described including charts detailing advantages and disadvantages of the methods. In the context of the diffusion of innovation and organizational lag theories, the analyzed outcomes confirm that while social software tools are being used, relatively few institutions have exploited them for improving in-house processes. Without clearly articulated long-term gains, adoption of administrative innovations will follow the pattern of organizational lag.

Reference Librarians’ Adoption of Cloud Computing Technologies: An Exploratory Study

“…The literature is abundant with discussions of using Web 2.0 technologies in libraries. For example, Luo (2010) examined how librarians incorporated Web 2.0 in information literacy instruction; Rodriguez (2010) investigated the adoption of blogs for internal reference desk communication and knowledge management; and Bosque, Leif, and Skarl (2012) analyzed the current state of academic libraries' Twitter accounts, focusing on the layout and design, content, number of tweets, and account followers. These studies will help reference librarians develop a more concrete understanding of the Web 2.o tools in the cloud, and make more informed decisions on how to integrate them in their work to improve productivity.…”

Implementation as Ongoing and Incremental: Case Study of Web 2.0 Use for Staff Communication

“…The researchers concluded that "simply implementing new technology does not mean automatic adoption by staff; moreover, it takes a consistent effort of internal marketing and subtle reminders to get new technology integrated into the workflow of the organization" (p. 155). Rodriguez (2010) highlighted the problem to be intrinsic to the organizational culture of the institution. Between 2007 and 2009, she had implemented a blog for the staff serving the reference desk to communicate and share knowledge at the libraries of two different universities.…”

Social media and community knowledge: An ideal partnership for non‐profit organizations

“…The author notes “many organizations, such as IBM, General Electric, Procter & Gamble, Shell and Airbus have abandoned cumbersome KM systems in favour of Web 2.0 applications such as blogs, wikis and other social software application (64). Similarly, Rodriguez (2010) noted that FPOs like “DaimlerChrysler, Dr. Pepper/7 UP, and Verizon are just a few companies who are implementing internal blogs on a large scale to share information across the entire organization and scattered around the globe” (111).…”

“…The features of these tools, such as collaboration, ease of use (Grace 2009; Schneckenberg 2009; Razmerita et al 2009), convenience, cost effectiveness, simple implementation, and small investment requirements (Rodriguez 2010) make them potential candidates for KM for small and medium‐sized NPOs (Huck et al 2011). Where, previously, KM content was centrally controlled and users were often reluctant to use KM tools (Razmerita et al 2009), social media are common to many users' daily lives, so have the potential to alter the landscape of KM.…”