#10 - Web 2.0 and Libraries/Library 2.0

I think that the concept of Library 2.0 is the way of the future, and my personal opinion is that it would be foolish not to embrace it and the technology surrounding it. Web 2.0 is the ultimate in new technologies in communications, information distribution, and many levels of the learning process.

I read the OCLC newsletter, and I also read "Away From Icebergs", and "To Better Bibliographical Services".

I felt that the ideas contained within the "Away From Icebergs" article were very extremist, and I really thought that the author was using exaggerated points within his essay.

I feel that it is important to still have a tangible library, which apparently the author felt is becoming less necessary. I do, however, feel that the technology level of day to day life commands a very large part in our library system. I feel it's vital to have the ability to have information technology classes for the patrons, and continue to educate staff on evolving technology in order to better help patrons.

I feel the staff at the library is integral in helping patrons to find the information they seek, or to help them to learn the process of finding what they need when they come to the library.

Technology now holds our information, whether we choose to embrace it or not. KDL embraces technology, and I think that makes it a huge asset to the community.


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Regarding the article "To Better Bibliographical Services":

I feel that image tagging, blog tagging, metadata, mapping, keyword usage, and all the other methods of cataloging internet information is simply ingenious, but it definitely needs some sort of streamlining or tweaking or standardization. There is just simply too much floating around out in cyberspace to be able to find everything you need that's pertinent without wading through threads of message boards where one word in your search turned up in a user's signature in 340 different entries.

If they can figure out the way to fix the accuracy involved in user-based tagging, they'd be on the right track.

Pertaining to libraries, a digitization of the dewey decimal system seems like a logical solution, although when I think about possible ways to have a catalog system, I tend to think of a wikipedia article arranged according to author name. Included would be a bio and a listing of writings.

I've used the search system available through the KDL website as a patron in the past and have had no problems with it whatsoever, but I could see where using it on too large of a scale could be a problem.

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I also read the wikipedia article included titled "Library 2.0". Though the listing is a short one, I think what I gather from it is that I side with some of the bloggers that think that finding information for a patron, be it in person or via the net, is all part of librarianship, and that since the internet is an information portal, it should be integrated into the library realm.

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I think that the concept of Library 2.0 is something that could be summarized as "anything, anytime, anywhere" in the realm of learning or knowledge seeking. With hundreds of tutorials and e-books and other means of self-teaching, the real key is just knowing how to find what it is you're searching for.