Library 2.0 #14 # 15 Week 6

What Library 2.0 means to me--- In reading through the different articles on Web 2.0 information, it certainly makes one realize that the technology is changing so quickly, it is really hard to keep up with it all. It does show that Libraries are certainly doing a good job at trying to keep up with those changes. Therefore, helping the library users around the world, by giving them access to a lot of these new tools. Just by informing the patrons and communites about these new tools, that they are or will be available now or down the road is a big step forward.
In the article by Rick Anderson, " Away from the icebergs" he talks about eliminating the barriers that exist between patrons and the information that they need, helping them in these
areas, such as interfaces so they actually have more time reading and learning.Also he mentioned that we have to find new ways to bring our services to patrons rather than insisting they come to us. With most people having access to computers now a days, either at libraries, schools or at home, the more inventive ways to use this info for research, everyday uses, such as
banking on line, checking newspaper information web sites, travel web sites, booking tickets on line, downloading pics from their digital camera or phone are all ways this new technology is there for us to learn, right at our finger tips. It amazes me to see just how much more info is available on the computer, and learning some of these tools has certainly made me more aware of what is available for us all. I was amazed to see on the news the other night a new game called " Second Life" from London Eng. I believe, where you could actually subscribe, and become a computer player in the game, and interact with other players on line from their home computers, through everyday situations. Wow! Just that these capabilities are available amazes me. Certainly with our own Library and the communities around that we are serving, I think, to keep them interested in using our services, it is very necessary for us to be up to date with the most recent technology available, but to make them aware of all our capablities, that there is something for one and all at the library. Like Rick Anderson says in his article " It's going to have to happen one library - one little boat - at a time.

Another interesting article was the one by Chip Nilges - " To more powerful ways to cooperate"talks about the "collective intelligence" and what they have planned over the next year with professionals and library patrons and others to contribute to and use the WorldCat. I can only imagine what a vast amount of info, this would open up for library users. Their plans for the World Cat access and the principles of Web 2.0 concept will certainly help libraries try and keep up with this changing technology thats available.

I think in todays world, I certainly have to agree with Dr.Wendy Schultz - " To a temporary place in time, she mentions that Libraries are not merely in communities, they are communities: they preserve and promote community memories..........."
Libraries today, are so very different from years ago with so much more information out there and the computers with tools they can now use to find that information.