Library 2.0 Opportunities

What are my thoughts about library 2.0? Well, I think that library 2.0 shows a lot of promise and potential in so far as this is an idea (or is that ideal?) that we should be aiming for. The fact that library 2.0 is all about collaboration between the library and its users is really great. While I have read that library 2.0 isn't necessarily dependant upon using new technologies, I disagree- if you implement library 2.0 you would have to be using at least one new technology otherwise we would be up to library 99 by now! The fact is, that only in the past ten years or so has the "web" taken off and with it we are able to utilise new technologies in order to promote and provide library services. I think that all of the tools that I've looked at in the previous tasks have a lot of potential. Sure, there are a few issues that may come up when using services such as facebook when it comes to a persons privacy- for example, is our personal information safe in the hands of a corporation that cares only about profit? Here's another look at each of the technologies now that I have completed all of the tasks.

1. Blogs- A great tool for quickly communicating to people. They are so easy to set up and add to that it would be really disappointing if libraries didn't use this tool to communicate with their customers.
2. RSS feeds- This has been around a lot longer than a lot of people would suspect. Ever since the early days of the web there have been programs available on the internet that allow people to have information on their favourite subjects sent to them when they log onto the internet. I don't personally use feeds much, because I can simply navigate to the web sites or information sources that I want to view (I don't like being distracted by having a lot of clutter on the screen).
3. Image sharing- After looking at this concept I desperately wanted to get a digital camera! It makes you feel a bit left out if you don't have a camera, but for libraries services such as flickr are great because the photos aren't stored on your own website & thus don't take up disk space.
4. Social bookmarking- A definite way to avoid losing your favourites list when your PC crashes! A great way also of having your favourite websites accessible from public computers (without having to carry a notebook around with you all the time!). A great way of finding information on a certain topic if your library has a subject specialty.
5. Wikis- A useful way of implementing a "virtual whiteboard". Although, I am worried about the potential for virtual vandalism.
6. Podcasts- One word- Awesome. Finally we have an alternative to "the box" for entertainment. The only thing to worry about here is I guess copyright.
7. Myspace & facebook- Most people these days don't have their own web sites, they have a "myspace" or "facebook" site. It definitely makes communication with others easier, as you don't need to know about html to create a myspace or facebook page. I think that it will be difficult for libraries to put themselves into the myspace arena as it requires a lot of ongoing maintenance.
I think library building design should also take note of the web 2 phenomenon. Providing wireless hotspots where possible and allowing people access to power points for their laptops are two examples of how this could be done.
If people use the tools and concepts that make up library 2.0 then I think that the customer base for libraries will rise exponentially in the future.

Where do I stand on the library 2.0 spectrum? I think I stand somewhere in the middle at the moment- I think that it would require a lot of commitment to advance further along the spectrum.

I think that web 2.0 is definitely relevant for me, as even if I am not creating any web 2.0 content, the tools discussed above make browsing the world wide web an exciting experience. Is it relevant to the library? Yes, as the internet has become a popular tool for the population of the sutherland shire it's a great way to communicate with people at their leisure. Is it relevant to our customers? Yes, because most people now use the internet & use the catalogue online.

I think that sutherland library has been using web 2.0/ library 2.0 tools very effectively and efficiently. A blog is a main part of the library's home page, the blog can be added as a RSS feed is people wish to do that, a lot of sutherland library's photos have been added to the flickr website, social bookmarks have been created and vodcasts of a prominent author talk are available to download. Hopefully the web 2.0/ library 2.0 tools will allow people in our community feel more confident in communicating with the library.