Thing 2: What is Library 2.0?

Wow! I am way behind on 2.0! I am taking to heart Stephen's talk on time. I have a lot of difficulty sitting down at the computer each night after work. I will try taking 15 minutes at a time and see how that works. How great would it be to explore new software and implement applications for a job? My pragmatic side wonders if the time and expense pays off with increased library usage? Should library budgets be spent on technology that may be utilized by some or on building the collection also used by some?

Or in the case of my current job, would nontraditional graduate students use this technology? Do they experience the same computer fatigue at the end of the day?

I experience technolust from 9-5 when I am at work. After working, I have other interests that do not require a computer. I read blogs for work and some for entertainment. When downloading music or buying online, I read customer and critic reviews. I appreciate the opinions and they do make a difference if I am on the fence about a purchase.

When I use a library website, I don't use anything more than the catalog. I am there for a specific purpose and move on. Am I typical of some library customers? If so, who is using the 2.0 features?

It is these questions and learning how libraries balance introducing Library 2.0 technology with existing/traditional services that excites me about this experience.

I liked the definition of Library 2.0 Sarah Houghton found in John Blyberg's blog:

Library 2.0 simply means making our 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 and making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives...to make the library a destination and not an afterthought.

I am going to keep this in the front of my mind when I am working on this!

Thing 2 content find here