The knowledge of Web 2.0 by library and information science academics

This research paper reports the results of a Web-based survey designed to explore the attitude of Library and Information Science (LIS) academics to Web 2.0. It investigates their familiarity with Web 2.0 concepts, tools and services and applications as these relate to LIS education, and the barriers to their use. A Web-based questionnaire was administered to 44 academic staff in three LIS schools, two located in Kuwait and one in Wisconsin, US. It was found that they have a low level of familiarity with and use of Web 2.0. Thirty-one of the respondents reported that LIS schools should be responsible for planning and management of Web 2.0 integration, while 26 thought that these should be the responsibility of individual academics. Lack of training was found to be the most inhibiting barrier to the use of Web 2.0 applications. It was also found that institutional affiliation and Internet experience were significant factors in regard to a number of online activities and Web 2.0 barriers. Other personal factors had no or very little significance. The data from the study provide baseline data for studies on Web 2.0 in LIS education which could contribute to appropriate initiatives for the integration of these applications.