Saturday, May 23, 2009

Thing 2: Library 2.0 and Web 2.0

I do not know a whole lot about Web 2.0 and Library 2.0. Even after reading the blogs listed and watching one of the videos. To me it's still kind of a huge deal. I will, however, share my thoughts on what I do know. :)

I think it's really interesting to see the rise of Web 2.0. I'm not sure exactly when it began, but one of the blogs listed an equivalence list for features seen in Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. While looking at the 1.0 list, I was thinking, "Hey! I remember that!" It is very obvious to me that 2.0 is very much alive, kicking, and the only real option online. As I said, I'm still wrapping my head around Web 2.0 and will continue to seek out information. Up until recently I didn' realize just what 2.0 encompasses. At my library, as I walk up and down our row of computers I see patrons of all ages on sites like MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, etc. Which leads me to my thoughts on Library 2.0.

At my library, Library 2.0 is certainly creeping slowly into how we do things. We have a Flickr already to share photos with the community of our events. I teach computer classes and am tailoring my subjects to what the public wants (based on my evaluation forms and just by seeing what people are using when they come in). And there are some ideas already bouncing around about trying to do more! Personally, I think Library 2.0 is a fantastic thing. Public libraries everywhere are already pulling away from being a fortress of silence where you are only allowed to ask the librarian for a particular book, where children aren't allowed to play and where absolutely no beverages were allowed anywhere near the books. They're all growing, changing, evolving into the place where teenagers hang out after school (to study or to play on the web), where children are very welcome and more than one storytime a week is now offered, where patrons can find DVDs, popular books, CDs (and anything they can't find you can order for them), etc.

I realize I'm rambling. But I really am a fan of Library 2.0. And I personally can't wait to have the opportunity to participate in its growth at my library.

“Library 2.0 simply means making your library’s space (virtual and physical) more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs. Examples of where to start include blogs, gaming nights for teens, and collaborative photo sites. The basic drive is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives…to make the library a destination and not an afterthought.”
Write a post on your own blog about your thoughts about Library 2.0 or Web 2.0 and how they apply to you and your library.

1 comment:

  1. That list of the differences between 1.0 and 2.0 was really interesting, I think that explained 2.0 the best for me. (And I totally was thinking the same thing, lol! "Hey, I remember that!")

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