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 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

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 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 Web 2.0 (from Tim O’Reilly’s chart and articles) Ofoto Flickr (photos are private in Ofoto) (photos are publically shared in Flickr; supports tagging) Britannica Online Wikipedia (created by “experts”) (created and corrected by users) personal websites blogging (I tell you about me) (we have a conversation) directories (taxonomy) tagging (folksonomy) (a few create the keywords) (many create the keywords) Im chat (communication when it’s convenient) (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 incorporate blogs, wikis, instant messaging, RSS, and social networking into a library services setting. - 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

What is Library 2.0 ? (for academic libraries) Illustration by Michael Habib

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 .” - Paul Miller Illustration by John Blyberg

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/ , / , / , / , / , / , / , / ,032 * (Academic Libraries in the U.S. – Statistical Trends ** CSU Library Statistics

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 user tagging focus on bringing ‘em in focus on finding the user. limited service options 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.