#15 On Libray 2.0

I read all the perspectives and all the additional articles -- even the Sirsi/Dynix one. It seems that relevance, technology, users, and service(s) are common to all. We all have different ideas about what is relevant. In the debate about L2 someone commented that "a library stocked with popular fiction at a mall does much more to make the library more relevant to people than any kind of technology." In a time when we are looking for money to build more branches, that makes sense. On the other hand, Rick Anderson ("icebergs") thinks "the time has come to look skeptically at the very idea of a library 'collection'." I realize that he is probably thinking mainly about reference material, but still .... I hope he's wrong about that. One of the joys of working in the library is the access to a wonderful collection of books -- print items. If you haven't seen the current Newbery winner, then let me tell you that it's amazing and worthy of the award. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a story told in words and pictures. You have to hold it in your hands to read and appreciate it.

I understand that L2 is all about changing the way services are delivered to users and inviting the patrons to be interactive in shaping the library. It seems that we already offer some of the things that are considered part of L2, e.g. WiFi, R.E.A.D.S., emails, and RSS feeds and thanks to the 24 things we now have a wiki and several of us are blogging. We have come a long way toward embracing technology to suppliment the way we are reaching out to patrons; however, we can't ignore those patrons who don't use the internet. The key is to enhance the traditional library to attract and reach out to both types of users.

There is so much more to write about -- FRBR, World Cat, non-authoritative content, and avatars, but I don't have the time here. Oh, and I found it interesting that in all the articles and discussions I read, everyone said user and not patron.

I have always been a big reader. I love browsing the stacks and seeing all the new books that come in. Meeting Dr. Wendy Schultz in her Library 4.0 and curling up in a comfortable chair with a good book sounds wonderful.