1 Use of Web2.0 tools by academic libraries

Web 2.0 tools are Internet based services which include social net working sites, blogging sites, RSS, pod casting, wikis, 3D virtual environment such as second life and Active world. These services aim to accelerate creativity, support information sharing, online collaboration and networking among the users.. The use of web 2.0 tools has grown considerably in the education sector in the last few years. They are being emphatically and overwhelmingly adopted by the conventional age students and the digital netizens. The libraries have also embarked upon harnessing the potential of these applications for enhancing the services. The present paper discusses the application of these tools in the libraries.It provides a reconnaissance of major academic libraries across the globe which have embraced these tools for connecting to the users. It discusses how Web2.0 tools can be used to woo patrons towards using the library resources and services. These can be of tremendous help for providing services to the distance learners. It also dwells upon how the library professionals can use them to keep abreast with the latest developments in the field. The paper also highlights how these tools –blogs, RSS and Face book are being used at Library an