The Evolution of the Web: From Web 1.0 to Web 5.0

Timeline of the Web: A Library and Information Science Perspective

The Journey of Web Evolution

1. Web 1.0: The Read-Only Web (1990s-2000s)

This was the first iteration of the web, a digital library card catalog brought to life. Websites were static, like online brochures. In the LIS context, libraries used the web as a one-way channel to disseminate information—operating hours, catalog searches, and digital archives. The user was a passive consumer.

2. Web 2.0: The Read-Write Web (2000s-Present)

Web 2.0 transformed the internet into a participatory platform. It empowered users to create and share content. For libraries, this meant shifting from being mere information providers to becoming hubs for collaboration. They launched blogs, wikis, and social media profiles to engage with their community, allowing patrons to comment, review, and contribute.

3. Web 3.0: The Read-Write-Execute Web (Emerging)

The current emerging phase, Web 3.0, is about making the web intelligent and giving control back to users. It uses AI, the semantic web (data with meaning), and blockchain to create a more personalized and decentralized experience. For a librarian, this means systems that understand complex queries and offer tailored research suggestions. It also introduces concepts of user-owned data and digital assets.

4. Web 4.0: The Symbiotic Web (Future)

This future vision focuses on a seamless integration between humans and machines. Web 4.0 will be characterized by ambient intelligence, where connected devices and AI agents work together in the background. In a library of the future, this could mean smart buildings that adjust lighting and temperature, or AR interfaces that overlay information about books as you walk through the stacks.

5. Web 5.0: The Emotional Web (Conceptual)

Still a conceptual stage, Web 5.0 aims to add emotional intelligence to the web. The goal is to create an "empathetic" internet that can read and respond to human emotions through biometric data and advanced AI. A library portal in the Web 5.0 era could recommend calming resources if it detects a user is stressed or adapt its interface to suit a user's cognitive state.

Summary: The Changing Role of the Library

Web 1.0

Library's Role

Information Provider

User's Role

Consumer

Web 2.0

Library's Role

Collaborator & Facilitator

User's Role

Contributor

Web 3.0

Library's Role

Personalized AI Advisor

User's Role

Controller & Owner

Web 4.0

Library's Role

Integrated Assistant

User's Role

Active Participant

Web 5.0

Library's Role

Emotional Partner

User's Role

Co-creator

Timeline of the Web: A Library and Information Science Perspective

Web Era	Key Features	LIS Examples	Real Website Examples
Web 1.0 (1990s-2000s)	Static Content Read-Only No user interaction Basic HTML pages	Project Gutenberg: A static site for downloading e-books The Library of Congress's first website: Only information, no feedback OPAC Systems: Only catalogue search, no reviews	gutenberg.org (early version) loc.gov (early version)
Web 2.0 (2000s-Present)	User-Generated Content Social Interaction Dynamic Pages Collaboration	LibraryThing: Users create libraries and write reviews Library Blogs/Forums: Q&A with patrons Public Library Social Media: Events on Facebook/YouTube	librarything.com stackexchange.com
Web 3.0 (Emerging)	Semantic Web Intelligent Recommendations Personalization Decentralization	Google Scholar: AI-based search and recommendations DBpedia: Semantic links between knowledge Semantic Digital Libraries: Context-aware systems	scholar.google.com dbpedia.org
Web 4.0 (Future)	Intelligent Agents IoT Integration Real-time Collaboration Ubiquitous Access	Virtual Reference via AI Chatbots: 24/7 research help AR Book Finder Apps: Locate books with phone camera Smart Library Apps: Location/history-based suggestions	AI Chatbots (e.g., Ask a Librarian) Prototype AR apps for libraries
Web 5.0 (Conceptual)	Emotional Intelligence Decentralized Identity/Data Empathic AI Brain-Computer Interfaces	Emotion-Aware Recommenders: Mood-based book suggestions Decentralized Research Identity: Scholars control their data AI-based Adaptive Learning: Tutorials that understand frustration	Mostly research projects, not publicly available