Web 2 applications in the academic libraries of Middle East countries

Web 2 illustrates many new-coming applications which have a high potential in enriching communication, cooperation and innovation. However, there are not so many researches regarding to web 2 applications in library websites yet. This research aims to survey the scale of web 2 applications amongst Iranian and Middle Eastern academic libraries as well as correlation between website age and the web 2 applications of such a websites. Thus, 146 academic websites were identified from the lists of “Higher Education Institutions worldwide” presented by webometrics group in Spain and were surveyed using content analysis method. The results point out that the web 2 applications in Middle East academic libraries are very low in regard to information dissemination (6.10%) and information organization (0%); However, there is a good reception (80.13%) for information sharing application specially for applying instant messengers in such libraries. Moreover, there are only two libraries (6.06%) amongst all academics libraries which use weblogs as for their Information acquisition. These libraries are Gilan University of medical Sciences and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Last but not least, there is no meaningful correlation between website age and the scale of web 2 applications.