“Library 2.0 Five Years Later” Journal Article by Walter Crawford was quite a surprising
article to read. I was shock to learn through the article that Library 2.0 was just a concept that never
took off and it is now dead. I have understood that the basic idea of Library
2.0 was to transform library services by making them more interactive and more
web-based along with Web 2.0 lines. I know that there is a great difference
between both principles.
Web 2.o services is modeled to share
information in a particular way different from the definition of sharing
information for libraries. Librarians have been in conflict with this notion of
sharing information because of privacy laws. Privacy is central, core value of
libraries. So, I think that in part
Library 2.0 has not taken off not only because is more of a technology based principle
but also because of the fear that the use of technology as a form of contact,
communicating or disseminating information to the public electronically or
virtually may violate privacy laws that protect the information that patrons
obtain from the library.
However, as a new generation of librarians’ rise,
the views will change. Librarians of the future may define space as a virtual space
not a physical space but the use of physical space will continue to exist,
communication will continue to evolve into more virtual setting. In part this
is due to the budget challenges that libraries have been facing for the past
few years and an existing limited technology skills among older librarian
colleagues. The growth of mobile devices and applications are driving forces
for which change is necessary.
As more patrons demand that libraries
understand and know how to deal with the demands and expectations of Web 2.0
(Facebook, blogs etc,) more libraries will have to understand that these days
everything is about the use of online or virtual communication. As we move more
into an open content process, the traditional approach of librarians to serve
their patrons will gravitate towards more of Web 2.o platform. Library
2.o maybe a term that is now considered obsolete but we must admit that Library
2.o has much to do with the changes as it is part of a movement of change;
change in library services and change in librarians view but also requiring
that librarians obtain the skills necessary to be able to move forward with technology.
So, whether it is Library 2.o or Web 2.o
or any other new technology we must be ready and prepared to use it.