Susan's Musings

O.K. - playing with Web 2.0 technology is never a problem - writing about it - ah there is the rub. I have finally decided to just make all 23 Thing blog entries and edit them with content as I can. Hopefully I will be so disgusted with myself that I actually write about these 'Things' - so don't get too excited if you suddenly see 20 someodd new post topics pop up on your radar.

So how do I feel about Web/Library 2.0?

Will and can a library today do without Library 2.0? I am sure they can, and they will continue to serve the same bricks and mortar population that they always have. What about the population that doesn't go to the physical library - that wants content to be pushed to them? Wants to know without having to search what new library events, or materials are available? What about the aging senior that can't make it to the library as often as they would like - wouldn't it be great to go online and see the latest author visit hosted on a web page? Working parents who are trying to help with their childs school project know they can IM a librarian for help. The absolutely fantastic thing about most of these new Web/Library 2.0 tools is the fact that they are minimal cost to implement, they are easy, fast and fun - and make no mistake about it - our members are already using these tools. The great thing about these concepts and tools is that in some ways they are ephemeral - if it doesn't work for you or a mistake is made it is easy to change it - you don't have to wade through tons of script and coding to change something that didn't work - so try it.

To those who doubt this as a passing fad - it might be - but then again some bemoan the death of the physical card catalog - technology and change happen - they exist. I leave you with this wonderful link to a blog post by Karen Schneider the Free Range Librarian - The User is Not Broken