I agree with those who say librarians and libraries are already doing the web 2.0 thing - making use of social software sites to enhance and expand library services. To me, libraries have always been quick to adapt and embrace new technology - can you think of many more agencies that have changed more in the last 10 years or so than libraries? The way we've used new technologies to improve our services to patrons is truly phenomenal. I agree with the comments by Micheal Stephens who said that we can't just jump on technology for the sake of saying we have it in the library. It has to be something useful to patrons, something that adds value to their library-going experience.
Some of the exploration we've done for this 23 Things project has taken us to library websites which proves to me anyway that libraries are keeping up-to-date with technology and are attempting to make use of it within the library.
I think the most important thing is for library staff members to have access to a project like 23 Things so that they are personally up-to-date or at least have a basic understanding of what patrons mean when they talk about things like blogs and Flikr. The value of Web 2.0 is not just that the library makes use of it but that library staff members can help guide patrons through it.
No comments:
Post a Comment