#15 Learning 2.0, Web 2.0, Library 2.0, Task 15.0

It’s an interesting time to be working in libraries. I’ve only been employed in a library for a year and a half and it’s very interesting to see how things are changing, from Library 1.0 to Library 2.0. It’s also interesting to see how other libraries are changing as well. When I did work experience in a library many years ago we used to stamp books with the due date, not scan them. But now that is the common way to do things and kids these days would not even know the way it used to be (unless they borrow a very old book with the stamps still in it). And now the way libraries are used is going through more changes, as technology evolves and Web 2.0 becomes more well known and integrated in to the way things are done, information that used to be found in books (or sometimes on CDROM) can be found anywhere, from anywhere.

Libraries are becoming more integrated with the community, and hopefully will continue to be. Instead of being us (libraries) and them (public/users), web 2.0 is allowing ‘us’ and ‘them’ to come together to just be ‘all of us’. With users contributing by tagging, using their own terminology, they may then find it easier to search for what they are after, particularly the younger users that have grown up with the internet and use terminology like tagging and blogging everyday. I know some people at this library had never heard the word ‘tagging’ before this learning 2.0 program begun.

Google seems to be the first place to look for most students, general public, and even staff here. Even though the online resources that the library subscribes to often more authoritative information, it is more difficult to find, and I’m not sure the effort of educating users of how to find use these resources will make too much difference. The fact is that it’s still not as easy to use as Google. The number of clicks of a mouse to get to the information the user is looking for is, in most cases, much less than the number used when using an online database. Logging in with a library card, then finding your way around the database can often take as many as 4 or 5 clicks. I think the usability of these databases needs to be improved in the near future if they are to be used more often by the members of the library. Anyway, those are my thoughts on Library 2.0, web 2.0, etc. I’m already looking forward to web/library 3.0!! I tried to get into Second Life recently but my computer isn’t good enough and keeps on crashing. I guess I better get more up-to-date equipment before I start using the up-to-date technology.