Thing #15

I read several posts about Library 2.0 which were fasciniating. Beginning with Wikipedia which gave the definition as "a modernized form of library service" whose focus is "on user-centered change and participation in the creation of content and community" with "the need to adopt a strategy for constant change while promoting a participatory role for the library user." They quoted an LJ article which said Library 2.0 was a "more efficient way of delivering services to achieve greater returns on financial investments." The biggest concerns around Library 2.0 are technology, privacy, and security. According to Michael Stevens, the Librarian 2.0 plans for all users, embraces Web 2.0 tools, controls technolust, makes good, yet fast decisions, is a trendspotter, and gets content. Rick Anderson says we have to row our library boat into the Web 2.0 environment and avoid three icebergs. They are the "just in case collection", reliance on user education (we need to eliminate all barriers that exist between patrons and the information they need), and the "come to us" model of library service (we need to integrate our services into our patrons daily patterns of living). Finally Dr. Wendy Schultz defines everything from Library 1.0 to Library 4.0. She defines Library 4.0 as the neo-library experience which absorbs everything in Library 1.0 through 3.0 and "will add a new mode, knowledge spa: meditation, relaxation, immersion in a luxury of ideas and thoughts." We are certainly part of a dynamic profession!