Reading Assignment
Title of the Article : Exploring Web 2.0 and Libraries
Author : Stephens, Michael (2006)
Publisher : American Library Association
Source : Library Technology Reports, 42 (4), 8-14. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/. accessed: 08 July 2008, Retrieved from the Academic Source Complete database.
ABSTRACT
The article discussed what is Web 2.0, its emergence and its applications. It emphasized how Web 2.0 is changing the manner in which people around the world communicate and consolidate their thoughts in the Web. Ways in which libraries can utilize Web 2.0 technologies were also presented.
THREE THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY READING ASSIGNMENT
- Web 2.0 is also dubbed as the “Two-Way Web”, the “Read/Write Web”, and the “Participatory Web”. These synonymous terms only point to the fact that this second generation Web is not made up of static pages and one-way interaction. Its main idea is having communities comprised of distinct members contributing to a collective effort or project.
- Library 2.0 constitutes the application of “2.0″ thinking to library services. Concepts of openness (blogs), ease of use (IM for virtual reference), innovation (wikis), social interation, creation of content (podcast), sharing (RSS feeds), decentralization (mash ups), participation (wiki planning) and trust are focal points upon which a library starts to use Web 2.0 tools. One important note however is spending time to investigate and experiment how these tools might fit into the library services.
- Librarian 2.0 according to Stephen Abram is the “guru of the information age”. I think this poses a tremendous responsibility on our shoulders. We just have to build our confidence and equip ourselves with the ability, insight, and knowledge to influence the creation of this new dynamic — and guarantee the future of our profession.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW THINGS I LEARNED TO MY WORK / TO ME AS A PERSON
As I go head-on with the overflowing self-expressiveness of the new Web, the shift to new duties and skills is also a notable shift to openness, conversation and participation. As suggested by the author of the article, the best thing I can do is to learn more about these tools and how they figure into our professional lives and our libraries. I should strive more to understand and maximize the power of the Web 2.0 opportunities.
