Thing 2. What is Library 2.0?

Reading about the various concepts related to developing and delivering library services within the Web 2.0 environment--constant change and the notion of "beta is forever"--quickly brought to mind the notion of future shock as defined by Alvin Toffler. His supposition that accelerated rates of technological and social change create a "shattering stress and disorientation" within society somewhat aptly describes what the library community may be experiencing. The Web 2.0 principles--simiplicity, interactivity, participatory, collective knowledge cumulation, and self-service--profoundly impact the processes for creating, distributing, and using information. As stated in a number of the blogs, the web is currently no longer perceived as being a collection of web sites and search engines, a model familiar to most traditional libraries and librarians, but that of a alternative social community where people work, learn, and play. I freely admit I am a librarian grappling with identifying the appropriate means by which to achieve a level of comfort and integration into this alternative social community/social communication model.

After some reflection, I have concluded one cannot proceed without examining the past and building a bridge to traverse the chasm created by this societal paradigm shift delineating the parameters of the future. The problem lying before me is how to build the bridge. I would like to believe as Stephen Abram does that by becoming familiar with the Web 2.0 tools and reflecting on the potential usefulness of such tools I will be able to take the first steps in building a bridge to the future. However, I am somewhat concerned with the unintended consequences, both positive and negative, inevitably to emerge with the evolution of the Web. It is neither acceptable to stick one's head in the sand and ignore the consequences, nor is it acceptable to cease implementation of technological innovations because not all is known. Unfortunately the speed at which technological innovations are emerging oftentimes precludes thoughtful examination resulting in the necessity to enter into uncharted waters in order to proceed forward and not be left behind. It is this vortex of change and innovation that presents me with challenges I personally feel ill-equipped or more accurately ill-prepared to mediate. Twenty-three things on a stick may be a good start, but it is just that--a start.

Thing 1. Set Up Your Blog

After completing the exercise of creating and customizing a blog, I am at a loss as to the value of incorporating an avatar as part of a site developed to establish a forum for discussing the creation, organization, distribution, retrieval, and use of information. From what I have been able to ascertain from recent studies and comments regarding such sites as Second Life, virtual alternative worlds appear to be a passing fad. The emergence of technology fads begs the question of how does one evaluate emerging technologies. Aaron Swartz, co-creator of the Open Library project, co-founder of Reddit, former adviser to Creative Commons, and co-developer of RSS, identified three key questions to ask regarding the implementation of new technologies during a current topics discussion group presentation at ALA Mid-Winter. His approach to the question was not to provide criteria for selecting winners, but to identify characteristics commonly associated with losers. Referring to the axiom "rules substitute for thought," he encouraged individuals to think for themselves by posing and answering the following three questions before implementing new technologies: (1) Does the technology fill a unique niche in that it is something people want? (2) Is the technology easily accessible in that it is something people can easily find? (3) Does the technology fit into reality in that it is something people can do?


Considering the incorporation of avatars as an integral part of a blog from my perspective and limited knowledge of the technology adds little if any value to electronic discussion forums designed to explore the delivery of information resources and services. However, having answered all three of the questions in the negative does not marginalize the entertainment factor or the acknowledgement of alternative realities as a new model for social communication. Succinctly stated, creating an avatar is fun but may not be particularly useful in achieving the desired goals and objectives of blogging.

23 Things On A Stick

The impetus behind the creation of this blog was to participate in an interactive instructional module to become familiar with some of the Web 2.0 tools. An additional benefit to the blog will be to converse with others in the field of librianship to learn of their opinions and aspirations for the new technologies. As a baby boomer, I am well aware of the disparities in mindsets between my generation and the generations that follow regarding technology and the ubiquiously impact of technology on day-to-day activities. Understanding how communication has evolved with the Internet to change the landscape of how information is gathered, categorized, archived, and used will hopefully provide me with some insights into future applications of technology to the research process.