What is Library 2.0?
What Does it Matter and Why Should I Care?
Library Retreat - Wednesday, August 22, 2007
What is Web 2.0 ?
- a second generation of web-based communities
and hosted services, which facilitate
collaboration and sharing between users.
Web 2.0 ?
Examples:
Wikipedia - user created encyclopedia
MySpace and Facebook – social networking
flickr – photo sharing and networking
Web 2.0 City
del.icio.us – bookmarks that are web based and shared
RSS (really simple syndication) – content delivered to
you from blogs, news sites, radio, etc.
meebo – web-based (no software needed), instant
messaging between different service providers
Web 2.0 City (image from flickr.com)
Web 2.0 is an attitude not a technology.
“It’s about enabling and encouraging
participation through open applications and
services. … technically open ... but also, more
importantly, socially open, with rights granted
to use the content in new and exciting
contexts.” - Ian Davis
Web 2.0 means “harnessing collective
intelligence”
Examples:
1) Wikipedia (user created encyclopedia) – “the
many are wiser than the few”
2) Flickr (photo sharing site) – photos are
indexed by users keyword “tags” which builds a
“folksonomy”
Web 2.0 means services and
applications live on the Web
Examples:
1) Word processing software exists on your
computer; Google Notebook exists on the Web
2) Endnote (citation manager software) exists
on your computer; Zotero lives on the Web.
3) Browser Bookmarks exist on your
computer; Del.icio.us and Furl bookmarks live
on the Web
Web 2.0 means the Web is live and/or
interactive
Examples:
1) Blogs (web logs) – combine text, images,
and links, and allow readers to leave
comments, creating a discussion around any
topic.
2) RSS (really simple syndication) - brings Web
content from blogs, news services and other
web sites to your email account.
3) IM (instant messaging) – is live
communication.
Web 2.0 means mixing content from
several sources into “mashups”
Examples:
HousingMaps.com
is a “mashup” of
Craigslist and
Google maps
“mashups” (continued)
Examples:
MapJack is a
“mashup” of
maps, satellite
images and
street
level photos
Web 1.0
(from Tim O’Reilly’s chart and articles)
Ofoto
(photos are private in Ofoto)
Web 2.0
Flickr
(photos are publically shared in Flickr;
supports tagging)
Britannica Online
(created by “experts”)
personal websites
(I tell you about me)
directories (taxonomy)
(a few create the keywords)
Email
(communication when it’s convenient)
Wikipedia
(created and corrected by users)
blogging
(we have a conversation)
tagging (folksonomy)
(many create the keywords)
Im chat
(communication in “real time”)
What is Library 2.0 ?
- a loosely defined model for a modernized form of library
service
- a call for libraries to encourage user participation and
feedback to constantly update and reevaluate library
services.
- L2 may find new ways of involving
patrons by letting them contribute
comments, add cataloging tags, rate
library items, and get involved in other
interactive and collaborative activities.
Ilustration by Michael Sauers
- L2 may incorporate blogs, wikis, instant messaging,
RSS, and social networking into a
library services setting.
(for academic
libraries)
Illustration by Michael Habib
What is Library 2.0 ?
What is Library 2.0 ?
“We should not make our users have to
consciously decide to 'do library stuff now'.
Instead, we should
… make library content
visible and relevant to
those who might never
have thought to turn to
a library for anything
more than a warm place
to check their e-mail.”
Illustration by John Blyberg
- Paul Miller
Why should we care about Library 2.0 ?
Less students come to academic libraries (physically) every year and less questions are asked
at Reference Desks, while more students visit libraries online each year. *
JPL Library Statistics **
(typical week)
Reference Transactions
Gate Count
2005/06
802
44,671
2004/05
849
46,718
2003/04
1096
52,709
2002/03
1277
43,600
2001/02
1249
43,542
2000/01
941
46,551
1999/2000
1277
53,100
1998/99
1579
54,032
* (Academic Libraries in the U.S. – Statistical Trends
http://www.ala.org/ala/ors/statsaboutlib/academiclibraries.htm
** CSU Library Statistics
http://www.calstate.edu/LS/planning_docs.shtml
Lib 1.0
Lib 2.0
(adapted from Karen Scheider’s adaptation of Tim O’Reilly’s chart and articles)
”read only” catalog
Amazon-style comments
by patrons
walk-in services only
globally available services
Easy = dumb users
Easy = smart systems
pre-organized library systems
focus on bringing ‘em in
limited service options
user tagging
focus on finding the user.
broad range of service options
“Sorry you can’t do that here.”
“Yes, you can do that
here and we’ll be glad
to show you how.”
A Librarian's 2.0 Manifesto – adapted from Laura
Cohen’s Blog (SUNY Albany)
• I will recognize that the universe of information culture is changing fast
and that libraries need to respond positively to these changes to
provide resources and services that users need and want.
• I will educate myself about the information culture of my users and
look for ways to incorporate what I learn into library services.
• I will not be defensive about my library, but will look clearly at its
situation and make an honest assessment about what can be
accomplished.
• I will avoid requiring users to see things in librarians' terms but rather
will shape services to reflect users' preferences and expectations.
• I will enjoy the excitement and fun of positive change and will convey
this to colleagues and users.
• I will let go of previous practices if there is a better way to do things
now, even if these practices once seemed so great.