[Publib] Library 1.5 (was Library 2.0)

[James Casey]

I couldn't agree more.  But some of the new developments will actually evolved into the "last word" as time goes by and others fall by the wayside.  I don't suppose that it is possible for us to entirely avoid the "bleeding edge" of technology.  We need to have a certain level of understanding of what some are touting as the current "cutting edge" and expect to look foolish for embracing duds and ignoring winners.  Things are moving very fast as we try to remain relevant to our patrons.

Jim Casey



-----Original Message-----
From: Kathleen Stipek [mailto:kstipek at aclib.us]
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 11:32 AM
To: James Casey; Sara.Weissman at mainlib.org; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Library 1.5 (was Library 2.0)

Remember Darth Vader's advice on not getting too pleased with the Death
Star?  I feel the same way about all these .0 evolutions of
librarianism.  Remember 8-tracks and Betamax?  Remember reel-to-reel
videotape that required 2 student assistants to haul a reel across the
room?  In my misspent youth these were the Absolutely Last Word.  They
weren't.  Nothing is ever going to be.  All we really need to do is to
cherry-pick the bits that work for our particular shops and not get any
too attached them.

Kathleen Stipek
Alachua County Library District
401 East University Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32601
352-334-3931  (fax) 352-334-3948

     --Non, merci.
       Cyrano de Bergerac


-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of James Casey
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 8:19 AM
To: 'Sara.Weissman at mainlib.org'; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Library 1.5 (was Library 2.0)

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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