A Risks and Opportunities Framework for Exploiting the Social Web

Brian Kelly presented a paper on "Empowering Users and Institutions: A Risks and Opportunities Framework for Exploiting the Social Web" at the Cultural Heritage Online 2009 Conference which was held in Florence on 15-16^th December 2009.

Details

Title

Empowering Users and Institutions: A Risks and Opportunities Framework for Exploiting the Social Web

Author

Brian Kelly

Abstract

Following the initial excitement generated by Web 2.0 we are now seeing Web 2.0 concepts being adopted across many sectors, including cultural heritage. Libraries, with their responsibilities for facilitating access to information resources and engaging with their user communities, have been early adopters of Web 2.0, and the term 'Library 2.0' is now becoming accepted. A similar phenomena is also happening in the museums and archives sectors, with the terms 'Museum 2.0' and 'Archives 2.0' gaining currency.

But how should we ensure that the initial enthusiasms for use of Web 2.0 services and approaches become embedded within the organisation? And are cultural heritage organisations aware of the potential risks associated with making use of externally-provided services such as Facebook, YouTube and del.icio.us, including misuse of such services, associated legal concerns as well as the dangers of making use of services for which there may be no formal contractual agreements?

In this paper the author argues that the cultural heritage sector needs to recognise that the Web 2.0 world isn't an environment in which delivery of the user needs can be guaranteed. Rather we are in an environment in which institutions and our users need to take a risk management approach to the use of networked services.

The paper describes a framework which is being developed which aims to ensure that institutions have considered the risks associated with use of Web 2.0 technologies and services and have identified strategies for dealing with potential risks in order to achieve the goal of balancing the risks and benefits in order to maximise the dividends to be gained by use of Web 2.0.

Biographical Details

Image of Brian Kelly Brian Kelly works for UKOLN, a national centre of expertise in digital information management based at the University of Bath in the UK. In his role as 'UK Web Focus' Brian has a responsibility for advising UKOLN's communities, which includes the cultural heritage sector as well as higher and further education, on best practices for exploiting the potential of the Web. Particular areas of interest include Web standards, Web accessibility and best practices for use of the Social Web.