Investigation on the Social Network Service (SNS) of University Library Websites

Abstract

Libraries have always played important roles in information provision services. In particular, university libraries have become a major source for teachers and students to acquire important information. University libraries use websites as the media for information dissemination and the tools for extended services, thereby ensuring more extensive and comprehensive circulation of information that transcends time and space. Library websites provide community services that users can make the most direct and active contacts with libraries through the community platforms. Library information, on the other hand, can enhance user interactions with librarians through the website community services. Targeting the 148 university library websites, a survey was conducted in this paper to understand how the libraries cope with the Internet era, and give a focus to and enhance the library website services and readers’ effectiveness of use. The survey also allows one to gain an insight into the current social network services; SNS provided by the university libraries. In addition to the weblog (blog), micro-blogging community services, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Plurk have also been added in recent years. Regardless of which community platform the library uses, it hopes to strengthen the exchanges of messages between readers, thus achieving more interactive library services and enabling the user and librarian to establish close community relationships.