Transcript MHSLA Research Committee poster (powerpoint)

Health Sciences Librarians in Michigan: Connecting to Emerging Web 2.0 Technologies
Misa Mi, MLIS, AHIP, Library Services, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI; Sandra Swanson, MLS, Amos Crist Health Sciences Libraries, Mercy General Health Partners, Muskegon, MI; Marie-Lise Shams, MLIS, AHIP, Dental Library, University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI.
INTRODUCTION
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Web 2.0 technologies are changing the way
information is disseminated and the way
knowledge, explicit or tacit, is captured,
constructed, and organized. It is important for
health information professionals to become
aware of the increasing role of these
technologies in disseminating new information,
sharing knowledge, and fostering communities of
practice
The questionnaire was piloted and revisions were
made. The survey was conducted during a period of
three weeks between January and February, 2008.
The questionnaire was sent to members by e-mail
through the listservs of the two organizations. Two
subsequent reminders were sent out by e-mail to
increase the response rate. Results were downloaded
and exported to MS Excel for data analysis.
30
Soc bookmarks
Soc netw orks
RSS/New s
Figure 1: Distribution of Responses by Workplace
3.40%
 Institutions block access to Web 2.0 tools, most often
media sharing and social networking sites.
Web office applications
none
0
Fifty nine out of 70 responses were complete
and used for data analysis. The majority of
responses (67.8%) were from hospitals (Figure 1).
There were more responses from the group with the
working experience between 6-12 years than other
groups (Figure 2). Blogs, wikis, and RSS Feed were
used more than other Web 2.0 tools (Figure 3-4).
 Barriers to using Web 2.0 tools include lack of training,
time, and lack of ideas for using the tools to provide
library services.
 Respondents (n=51) reported that they used Web 2.0
technologies to keep abreast of developments in the
profession (86.3%), collaborate with colleagues (66.7%),
share ideas and knowledge (43.1%), and for other
purposes.
 A few had experience developing content with the tools.
They strongly agreed on the benefits of training on
Web 2.0 tools and indicated that hands-on training
is the preferred venue for learning about the 2.0 tools.
1.70%
5.10%
Academic
67.80%
Consumer
Health
Other
Figure 4: Use of Web 2.0 Technologies by Types of Libraries
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
<5
6 to 12
13 to 18
19 to 24
25 to 30
>30
120%
100%
80%
Implications for the professional organizations:
Hospital
60%
Academic
40%
20%
0%
Other
None
Figure 2: Distribution of Responses by Years of Experience
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Medical librarians are likely to embrace Web 2.0
technologies that can be put to use in providing
library services, although they face challenges and
barriers in using these tools.
Hospital
22.00%
 Over 80% would benefit from training; hands-on training
in a computer lab is preferred. The area of most interest
is media production and sharing.
 Out of 52 responses, 58.9 % respondents used blogs,
44% RSS Feed, at least daily or weekly. A majority of
respondents felt most uncomfortable with Second Life,
social bookmarking, and podcasting. Most of them never
used these tools.
Web office
applications
 A survey questionnaire which comprised 16 items of
close- and open-ended questions was designed and an
online version was created using SurveyMonkey.
Second Life
RSS/News
Instrumentation:
50
40
20
10
Public
Participants:
 A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit
participants from the membership of Michigan Health
Sciences Library Association (MHSLA), Metropolitan
Detroit Medical Library Group, and other MHSLAaffiliated local groups
Media sharing
Soc
Bookmarks
METHODOLOGY
60
Soc
Networks
 what needs they had in applying the
technologies in practice.
Wiki
Second Life
 what barriers they faced in using the
technologies;
Blog
Media
sharing
 how they adopted them for their library practice;
80
70
RESULTS
 Librarians learned about Web 2.0 through conferences
and networking, but listservs, newsletters and journals
are still important sources
Podcasting
Wiki
 how medical librarians used Web 2.0
technologies;
90
Blog
The study was conducted to investigate
Figure 3: Current Use of Web 2.0 Technologies
Podcasting
OBJECTIVES
RESULTS (cont)
RESULTS (cont)
 Members’ training needs should be considered in
providing learning opportunities for them.
 Strategies could be created to help medical
librarians overcome barriers in applying the Web
2.0 tools in their practice