This new book by Phil Bradley focuses on a current hot topic for many in the library world, so it is sure to generate a lot of interest.
It is a clear, well‐written book, which would be a good introduction for anyone new to Web 2.0. It takes a very straightforward approach of looking at each aspect of Web 2.0 in turn; explaining what it is and how it works describing the most commonly used services and then explains how each might be put to practical use in a library setting. Thus, there are chapters devoted to RSS, weblogs, podcasts, social bookmaking services, start pages, customised search engines, web sites (including portals and wikis), instant messaging and photograph‐sharing. In each case, there is plenty of practical information for those who have not used a particular resource before and lots of ideas to get reader thinking about how they might use services both for their own professional development and directly to support users.
How to use Web 2.0 is probably of most use to people looking for a basic manual to guide them through using a new type of service. You can explore various resources online as Phil Bradley's easy‐to‐follow descriptions guide you through the basics of using them.
Where I feel the book was lacking, however, is providing practical advice about how to actual implement Web 2.0 within a library setting. Admittedly, the final chapter is devoted to this issue, but I felt a lot more could be said about this subject: how to bring about the cultural change necessary to effectively implement Web 2.0 services is likely to present a significant challenge for many libraries and their staff. This book touches on many of these, including staff attitudes, accepting that services will not be perfect, trusting users and the need for greater flexibility and a willingness to adapt, but more about this would have been useful. There are two case studies which demonstrate how a particular service has been implemented within a library and these were interesting, but it would have been helpful to have a case study to illustrate each of the types of service described.
Perhaps the main potential problem with this book, however, is that, as the author acknowledges, it is likely to date very quickly. This is not the author's fault; traditional publishing mechanisms simply are not designed to cope with an area which is changing so rapidly. Phil Bradley has, therefore created a companion web site (Available at: www.zimbio.com/How+to+use+Web+2.0+in+your+library) where he will update and amend details and also encourages readers to do the same if they discover any changes or wish to add further resources. This is in its early stages at the moment, but has the potential to be a useful resource which will help to extend the shelf life of the printed book.
