The use of social media and web 2.0 for information service delivery in academic libraries in Ghana

Abstract

to enhance services to library patrons. Social media is a powerful new form of communication. The number of users on the popular social media sites is growing at exponential rates. Because of the ubiquity of social media use, academic libraries can leverage these communication tools to interact with faculty, staff, and students in new ways. It is often difficult in academic libraries to spread the word about different events or services that the library is offering. Social media provides another vein in which to market new library products or initiatives. This research study provides a brief review of recent statistics about the use of social media tools, highlights the importance of why academic libraries need to understand how Web 2.0 and social media applications can enhance information service delivery. The methodology included the survey of 30 librarians and e-resource librarians in Ghana, the analysis of 18 library websites and sparent institution websites as well as the interview of two social media experts. The results of the study show that the percentage of Academic libraries using Web 2.0 and social media tools in Ghana is low. However, academic librarians in Ghana have a good knowledge of the common Web 2.0 and social media applications. Appropriate recommendations such as conscious efforts by librarians to use and training to use these tools are necessary to support their use and to ensure effective communication with the patrons in the academic library.