The two videos were very good but the first one was a little too long.
The second video moved very quickly which kind of highlights the problems someone of my generation may have with the Web 2.0 etc.
I found the article by Stephen Abram to be almost out of date. It’s been almost 18 months since it was published much less written and I wonder how he would update it. With things moving so quickly, some of his thoughts seem almost antiquated.
I am always interested in exploring the value of new technologies for libraries and we have tried several here at our library. Our staff blog seemed like a really great idea for communication between weekly staff meetings. Unfortunately I am not seeing its uses come to fruition. Perhaps it’s because so few staff members actually sit at a computer all day, check their email, etc. The majority of the staff is out there interacting with the public or shelving materials. I could see more use for the staff blog in either a smaller or larger library. A large library system with more professional librarians might find the staff blog very useful as a communication tool. A smaller library with very little staff and some staff who might never even encounter other staff members because of part-time hours would surely find the staff blog to be useful. We’re not discontinuing it, it just hasn’t reached my expectations for usability.
Some of the other concepts haven’t panned out either. TLA tried using a wiki for collaboration between the program committee for the last two conferences. They also are trying to use a wiki for their “Transforming Libraries” initiative. All the TLA divisions, round tables, etc. have web pages, list servs, etc. They just don’t seem to be used all that much.
I have a Facebook page and a twitter account. I find them mostly boring. The only new technology that I’ve found to be truly useful recently is my Google Reader. I love Google Reader!!! It’s so great to have one spot to go to for professional and community news!!
What are your thoughts regarding Web 2.0 and Library 2.0? What do the terms mean to you? To your library? Or libraries in general?
My thoughts?? Can’t ignore Web 2.0 and Library 2.0. Be open to trying new things. Continue to search for relevant applications that will serve my community, staff, self. Try to gauge interest and expectations from community. Don’t dismiss suggestions “out of hand.”
