Week 6: #15 On Library 2.0 & Web 2.0

Interesting articles. I liked the Iceberg article. I think the libraries have a place in Web 2.0. We just have to be out where the people are in the social networks, blogosphere and other places. HCPL is already providing unmediated services with self-check, online renewal and holds. But we cannot expect these customers to necessarily want our traditional reference services and book collections. People want more interactivity. They want to share their experiences. They want to blog. So I think the future is that libraries have to become a community. Just like we share resources, we need to share services. Imagine an online bookclub mediated by many library systems and any system can join. That way you can get a critical mass of customers who are not necessarily in your area, but share the same core values of learning and love for reading. These things are happening but not necessarily library systems leading the way. We have to realize that in the online community, our customer does not have to be in are area. Also, embracing the Web 2.0 may mean our webpages look different. I think Santa Barabara City College has done something interesting. Their web page content is thier blog. Check it out. http://library.sbcc.edu/