In Web 2.0 Tools and Strategies for Archives and Local History Collections, Kate Theimer argues that, in order to remain relevant, archives and local history collections need to change their thinking about how collections are made accessible to researchers. Of course, preservation and conservation of historic material are important roles for archives, but archivists and local studies librarians also need to promote the use of their collections and social media websites are one way in which they can reach new audiences.
Although increasing numbers of people are using the internet as their primary means of research and information discovery, many archive web sites have not kept pace with recent changes. In many cases, this is due to a lack of funding or expertise. This book describes how archive services can apply Web 2.0 technology effectively, largely using freely available tools and internal staff skills.
Following an introduction reviewing the changes the internet has meant for archives, the book is divided into 12 main chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the key concepts and is essentially for those with no experience of Web 2.0. Chapter 2 encourages archives to take a strategic look at their current provision and consider how effectively this matches the needs of their intended audience. The following seven chapters each examine one Web 2.0 service or tool in detail, namely blogs, wikis, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube, podcasts and Twitter. Each chapter follows a common structure: there is a brief description of the tool; a discussion about how archives can use it, plus a detailed description of how to implement it. There are also transcripts of interviews with archivists from organisations ranging from national archives to local historical societies in the UK, North America and Australasia. These provide practical examples of how each of the tools described can be used within an archive setting and include practical advice from archive staff with experience in this area. There is also a chapter, which looks in less detail at a number of applications, which are not so commonly used by archive services, such as Second Life and widgets.
The final two chapters examine how to evaluate the success of Web 2.0 activities and policy and management concerns, such as copyright issues, institutional buy‐in and publicity. The Conclusion acknowledges the fact that each archive service needs to consider how Web 2.0 technologies are appropriate for its particular circumstances and discusses how such innovations can be balanced with more the traditional archive functions.
This book provides both inspiration and practical guidance for archivists who are interested in making greater use of Web 2.0 tools to engage with their existing and potential audiences. The author is clearly experienced not only in the use of new technologies but, perhaps even more importantly, in the functioning of archive services. She displays an excellent understanding of how various social media can be used within the sector and draws on many existing projects as illustrations of what can be achieved.
Although there is always a danger that books about Web 2.0 can date quickly, I would recommend this book to anyone working in archives and historical studies centres who is interested in improving online provision to reach new audiences and serve existing users more effectively. I am sure that the descriptions of what other services are doing will provide inspiration about ways in which collections can be promoted more effectively and used in new ways.
