I heard a lot about web 2.0 when I was in library school, and to be honest, I didn’t find it all that interesting. At times, I even found myself thinking wistfully of the way things were before technology exploded and changed the way we did things. However, the more I participate in web 2.0 activities, the more I like it. Not all of it, mind you, but I definitely see it playing a part in the way things are done. I think that libraries can definitely do a lot with Library 2.0, and can certainly do more for their patrons by enabling them to participate in their own library experience.
Libraries should be accessible to everyone, and library 2.0 makes that possible. People can now have a say in how things are done at their library by posting comments or tagging books. They can learn about programs and new books from their Blackberries or home computers, and they can do their research from the comfort of their own home. This doesn’t mean that traditional libraries will become obsolete, but it does mean that libraries now have ways to reach and interact with many of those people who, for whatever reason, tend to avoid using traditional library buildings and services. It will definitely be interesting to see how libraries evolve in the coming years, as they continue to look for ways to incorporate web 2.0 into their services.
