Web/Library 2.0 (Thing 2)

In my opinion, Web 2.0 is an absolutely wonderful concept. Why? Because it allows everyone (technical and non-technical) to take part in the creative development of our 'forever evolving' world wide web. Web 2.0 has opened the door to those with internet access to a 'buffet' of web-based possibilities (video & photo sharing, group collaboration, instant messaging, chatting, and the list goes on). I don't know how many people truly realize just how much Web 2.0 has become an integral part of our everyday lives. For example, the Weather Channel (a very well known cable television station) allows online conversation and collaboration with its station viewers by not only asking them to send comments via Twitter, but to also send in pictures and video via email of the weather in their area. Many local and national news stations offer the same options to their viewers. In these particular instances, Web. 2.0 allows the viewer the opportunity to participate in the weather/news reporting process.

There's so much out there to use and/or play with, as in individual, it's hard to know where to begin. However, as a librarian, I usually take my hints from the patrons themselves. I think that how much library staff is able to actively delve into Web 2.0 varies from library to library. I work at a small library with a limited number of staff. With everything else that we do in the span of a day, there's not always time to engage in things (like Web 2.0) that are not absolutely necessary for the daily operations of the library. However, I do think that time does eventually need to be set aside for library staff (especially those working at public service desks) to actively learn more about Web 2.0 services, especially those that are popular among the library's patrons (MySpace, Facebook, Yahoo Instant Messaging, YouTube, etc.). The more we know, the more effective, I think, we will be in servicing our patrons, especially those who use our public access computers.