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December 19, 2005
Library 2.0 Discussion: Michael Squared
Michael Stephens and Michael Casey discuss the first steps toward Library 2.0 over on the ALA TechSource Blog.
I still get asked again and again what Library 2.0 is in the first place. A lot of people believe it to be a meaningless buzz phrase. The way I'm explaining it so far follows:
Library 2.0 simply means making your library's space (virtual and physical) more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs. Examples of where to start include blogs, gaming nights for teens, and collaborative photo sites. The basic drive is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives...to make the library a destination and not an afterthought.
December 19, 2005 | Permalink
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» Meaning(s) of Library 2.0 from panlibus
Over on info NeoGnostic, Chris Armstrong writes about one of the differing emphases in recent discussion of Library 2.0. In his post, he points to Sarah Houghton's Library 2.0 simply means making your library's space (virtual and physical) more... [Read More]
Tracked on Jan 6, 2006 2:05:50 PM
» Qué es la Biblioteca 2.0 from Documentación, biblioteconomía e información
...¿Qué es la Biblioteca 2.0?
Una de las definiciones más citadas es la de Sarah Houghton (Lib): La Biblioteca 2.0 co... [Read More]
Tracked on Jan 10, 2006 10:36:54 AM
Comments
Many thanks for explaining Library 2.0 so succinctly! As a British librarian your blog is an invaluable help in keeping ahead of the game over here.
My library has also just selected Innovative Interface's Millenium to replace our current system, so I am doubly interested in what you have to say!
Perhaps we can email you separately to see if you have any tips and suggestions?!
Cheers!
Posted by: Val Ghose | December20, 2005
You are welcome to e-mail me with any questions you have: sarahfaery@hotmail.com.
Posted by: Sarah Houghton (LiB) | December20, 2005
Sarah, I agree with your definition, but I would expand it to say that it also means offering your content in ways that make it easy for users itto mash into their own works and lives. For example, http://www.flickr.com/photos/edward-vielmetti/79567788/. So in that sense, L2 also means getting your content out of proprietary, hidden silos so that it can be accessed outside of library resources.
Posted by: Jenny Levine | January 2, 2006
"To make the library a destination and not an afterthought." What a concept. That might be the best catchphrase I've hear in awhile. I've cross posted this to my blog (I'm the LLSAP Director for Alliance) to help explain the Library 2.0 concept. This is the best example I've found yet to help people understand where I feel we need to focus in the future.
Shameless plug follows:
I wonder if you have seen the Alliance Library System’s free ebook story for kids "Why Libraries Matter." It's a great example of why the library should be a destination. It’s available at http://www.librariesmatter.com/
Posted by: Kendal Orrison | January 3, 2006
Great point Jenny...breaking down all the walls we can beteween users and our resources. My favorite example for this is the library that requires authentication before you can even see what subscription databases they have. That is a WALL. How would a user even know if getting a library card would be worth it to him/her without being able to at least see what's available? I also kinda/sorta agree with some of the banter that's been going on noting that there doesn't seem to be much that's new with Library 2.0. Perhaps not. But it seems like Library 2.0 is serving as a kick in the pants for many libraries... How long have there been console video games? 20 years? And just now we're getting them in as library programming? Perhaps Library 2.0 is just one of many perpetual regularly scheduled library-world wake up calls to re-focus on the users and what they want. And thanks for the link Kendal!
Posted by: Sarah Houghton (LiB) | January 4, 2006
Sarah, just wanted you to know that I have quote you several times (always with proper attribution). You have a great L2 definition that is easy for anyone to grasp. Thank you!
And good luck on the new job!
Posted by: Jill Hurst-Wahl | March 5, 2006
Thanks...I'm actually not so thrilled with my definition, but I'm glad it helps a bit.
Posted by: Sarah Houghton (LiB) | March 5, 2006
