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.