Week 6 #15

I enjoyed reading the articles on Library Web 2.0. I find that there are other people who like me are hesitant about the whole big picture that is Library Web 2.0. I think part of the thought process around this is the openess of participation among all users. It is scary to open our libraries to the constant input and feedback that is possible when part of the web 2.0 network. On the other hand, haven't we all asked for input from our library patrons? I know I have and at times it is useful feedback and other times it is not very useful depending on how serious the respondent was to the data. I believe that as librarians we do need to embrace the new technologies and figure out how to communicate and remain in the conscious thought of our patrons or we will become obsolete. I am reminded of this whenever I ask students to work and research on topics important to the curriculum. While I do still want them to consider using books and encyclopedias, this is not their perferred mode of operatus. I would love to still have the library thought of as a place in which information is available and that is supporting the new technologies. In other words, I would love to be the buzz in our school. Many of the articles focused on how we need to rethink our libraries and how patrons can access our information. Each article talks about building/participating in a community and that web 2.0 is the next step on our evolution process. In the article, "Away From the Icebergs" the point is made that patrons will expect to have access to everything and if we don't provide them with the opportunity to get everything they will think of us as obsolete. This affects schools as we deal with internet use policies and teacher/student expectations. I would love to have students participate in blogs, but am limited on what the blogging sites will allow for age appropriateness. I'm sure I may learn of other ways to have students participate online without having to be limited to blogs. I'm sure school districts also think of what the liability will be if students are placing themselves out to the whole world. Parents are also nervous about what their children are actually participating in while online. We need to reassure, provide great PR and build on the trust that each district strives to have with their parents.
In the article, "Into the world of librianship" the author makes the point, "This librarian understands that the future of libraries will be guided by how users access, consume and create content." I hope that I'm recognizing the need of my patrons and that through the use of tags, RSS feeds and Rollyo I'll be able to move my library forward and remain in the teachers/students thoughts as a place they can respect and use because I've set up a library to nurture their souls. I would love to be one of the libraries that is collected and placed on the hit list as a worthwhile place to check out.