Yes my head is in the clouds after reading some of the articles for this week's discovery exercises. Lots of ideas and possibilities are presented by the different librarians and even a futurist. Some of my thoughts on Library 2.0:
Big shifts are happening technologically but the services provided by the library will always be driven by the human interaction. Libraries can blog or provide IM reference as communication extensions to the community. Designing friendlier catalogs with tagging features will enable patrons to more easily navigate and personalize our collection. We allow the patron into our library 24 hours a day and explore non-traditional library activities (i.e. gaming) to attract a new generation of patrons. We change because we recognize that innovation keeps our library vital and vibrant.
At the same time we continue to provide the traditional library services that the patrons demand. We check books in and out and keep an up-to-date collection of materials that appeal to the community interests. We store knowledge in hard-copy and virtual formats in order to give access to the greatest breadth of resources. We say hello when a patron comes into the building and provide the best customer service we can. We do the best we can as individuals while taking into account that our life at the library is only an aspect of our being.
Library 2.0 is finding the balance between changing technologies and traditional library services. When we are understaffed, overworked, or just plain uninterested--how do we find the time to explore blogs, wikis, IM and social networking? Can anyone say free MP3 player? ^-^
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