Thing #15: Web/Library 2.0

Tom Storey’s (2006) definition of Web 2.0 is the best I’ve seen to date.

“In Web 2.0, the Web becomes the center of a new digital lifestyle that changes our culture and touches every aspect of our lives. The Web moves from simply being sites and search engines to a shared network space that drives work, research, education, entertainment and social activities—essentially everything people do. You and your mobile and non-mobile devices—PDA, MP3, laptop, cell phone, camera, PC, TV, etc.—are always online, connected to one another and to the Web.” http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/1.htm

In the next paragraph Storey says that the Web itself becomes the operating platform rather than our PCs. One of the benefits of a web-based platform is the transparency of the software to accommodate different browsers and operating systems. As a Mac user living in a Windows world I certainly welcome platform transparency. Another benefit, of course, is the availability of our content no matter where we are, and no matter on what machine we’re accessing the web. On this blog I’ve already documented my experiences with using Del.icio.us as a web 2.0 bookmarking application.

I believe that Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk (2006) have hit the nail on the head when they write:

“In the current library world—particularly in public institutions—we are accustomed to focusing our services on those customers we already reach. . . . Libraries are in the habit of providing the same services and the same programs to the same groups. We grow comfortable with our provisions and we fail to change.” http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html.

Not only do we keep dipping into the same well, we, ourselves, as librarians grow too comfortable with already developed skills, and are reluctant to learn new ones. Perhaps it’s the fear of technology, but we have to push beyond that. Our patrons are becoming more and more technologically savvy, even the preschoolers. Michael Stephens writes:

“If we learn to learn, it doesn’t matter that this week’s hot technology is Twitter and next week’s even shinier tool is something else. We can still figure it out, use our foundational knowledge to make sense of it and decide if it works in our situation.” http://tametheweb.com/

In addition, the patrons that aren’t tech savvy are looking to us to help them become so. While working as a PSA at the Millard Branch patrons would daily come to my station asking for help in establishing an email account, searching for jobs on the web, and writing resumes. I’m sure that this is a common occurrence at other branches as well. It’s heartrending to see 50 year old workers who have never learned to type trying to negotiate online applications. They have no other choice as many employers no longer accept paper, phone calls or walk-in applications. A large part of our profession is service, and as our patrons needs change, so must our service skills.

Another issue facing our libraries is that of accessing materials not owned by our systems. Fortunately, we have ebooks, audiobooks, and movie streaming (although not for Mac users!). We have downloadable journal articles via full-text online databases. So, the main issue is acquiring books for our patrons from other sources. Yes, we have ILL, and yes WorldCat is making it easier to request an item, but we still have to deal with time delay. If the item is a research document we may have no other choice since there are few copies available. But if it is a readily available book, but not in our collection, Amazon and others can supply the text in a matter of a couple of days. Sometimes these books can even be downloaded. How will we answer this challenge?

I’m excited about the newly developed and developing tools available via Web 2.0, and I am eager to see the transformation of our libraries into the infocommunities of the future.

References

Casey, M. E. and Savastanuk, L. C. (2006, September 1). Library 2.0: Service for the next-generation library. Library Journal. Retrieved October 19, 2008 from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html.

Stephens, M. (2008. October 24). SLA IT Bulletin: Digital Focus: Michael Stephens. Tame the Web. Retreived October 29, 2008 from http://tametheweb.com/.

Storey, T. (2006). Web 2.0: Where will the next generation web take libraries? Web 2.0 Retrieved October 29, 2008 from http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/1.htm.