A Look Back on Library 2.0 and Web 2.0

It is no myth that Web 2.0 will and already has begun to redefine the way libraries function and work. The technology is here, but the problem is whether or not the library is ready to dive off the traditional "diving board" and into the "pool" of technology and Web 2.0.

I have read the five perspectives and the one that hit me the most was the one titled, "Away from Icebergs". The perspective states that there are potentially 3 "icebergs" that libraries as a whole may encounter. These "icebergs" present a significant threat to the progress of the library as a focal point to connecting the community. Reliance on user education, the "come to us" model of library service, and the "just in case" collection are the three main icebergs in the way of our main goal of bringing the library to the center of any community.

Reliance on user education merely speaks of making it easier for patrons to find exactly what they are looking for without the help of library staff because of the fact that the number of patrons dwarfs the number of staff. On a busy day at the library it is not uncommon that a patron may have to wait before being helped with the information they are trying to find. We live in a world where waiting is considered frustrating, therefore, the more our patrons are left to wait, the more frustrated they become reducing the chance that he/she will return. Making the process of finding information easier on the patron will in turn put the power of the library in his/her hands.

The "come to us" model of library service is an obsolete way of thinking. Many patrons wish to view what a library has to offer from there own home, which has been implemented for a long time, but it is now time to take things a step further. With the Internet becoming faster and faster patrons will begin to expect all the information to be at their fingertips and as a focal point of the community we are obligated to serve our patrons as best we can. With that said, we must also be willing to change and adapt to the advent of new technology, but also to the change that a patrons way of thinking will undergo as that new technology becomes commonplace to him/her.

The final iceberg is the "just in case" collection. This may very well be one of the hardest icebergs to overcome seeing as a change in this would mean a change in the very backbone of how the library has been run in the past. Whether we like it or not the change is coming and if we wish to survive we need to start thinking about what we are going to do about it or the library will undoubtedly become obsolete. So, this "just in case" collection is an archaic method of trying to provide for every need of every person. I emphasize the word "trying" because there is no possible way of providing for every need of every person. Perhaps in the future things may change, but for now it is too expensive and time consuming for both library staff and patrons alike. One solution to this problem is the acquiring of a "digital" collection. A digital collection makes it much simpler and cost-effective to even attempt to provide for every need of every person. There is no longer the issue of shelf space for holding an extensive amount of books. Also, the thought of spending the time and money mending books is eliminated because of the fact that with digital copies there is no more wear and tear on a book from a large amount of usage. New copies of a book will no longer need to be purchased to replace old ones.

These 3 "icebergs" as they are dubbed by Rick Anderson are problems that face all libraries as a whole, but the OCL system is on the right track to counteract and overcome these problems. Some things may take longer than others to be implemented, but the most positive change is a slow and steady one. I have no doubt that the library is exactly what web 2.0 needs in order to really shine and it works both ways because libraries will gain alot from using web 2.0.