[Publib] Library 1.5 (was Library 2.0)

[James Casey]

I wouldn't be so quick to consign much of the Library 2.0 innovations to the realm of irrelevancy.   I can recall back in 1994 when the candidate for director of a decent size academic library referred to the Internet as a "fad" and how Librarians during the 1970s and even during the 1980s would say that the on-line catalogs would never replace card catalogs.  Much of what was "cutting edge" ten years ago provided the basis for regular services upon which we depend today and which our patrons have come to expect.

We must continue to explore and re-invent our services.  I'm afraid that we must first venture into the realms of Library 2.0 and risk learning some stuff that will probably not blossom into a basic service in order to reach Library 1.5.  Eventually, Library 2.0 will come along --- probably after we have explored Library 3.0.

Jim Casey,
 Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
  ALA Council Member





-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Sara Weissman
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 3:48 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Library 1.5 (was Library 2.0)

>>something important  related to Library 2.0, please share!

Having Flickr'd, MySpaced, blogged, Facebooked, YouTubed, LibraryThinged [etc] our library ..  I find I'm lately a big fan of Library 1.5.  I had a ball learning to edit video of the music concerts we host here ...appreciate the ability to link into a single tag in LibraryThing (biz books, parenting titles, teen reads, etc.)  BUT ..what has any of this to do with providing info/outcomes for our patrons? I increasingly wonder.  Especially as times are so bad and people need help and jobs.
     I suspect lots of initial 2.0ness was me amusing myself?  What are the patrons getting out of any/all of this? is what I monitor more closely now. The most effective channels to/for our patrons, to date, are an events listserv (995 subscribers, no postage!) and electronic reference via good-ole web form/e-mail.
     I see tech burnout coming, in the more advanced users, while tech mystification continues among the late adopters. I know people who are actively trying to use less, not more, tech/online.  For the library, at least, as an outreach tool I'm  not sure 2.0 apps impacts are worth the time they require (tho' bless 'em for being largely free or shareware!)


--------
Reference Dept
Morris County Library
http://www.mclib.info
(973) 285-6969


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