Web 2.0 Library 2.0 Librarian 2.0

Web 2.0 Library 2.0 Librarian 2.0 Presented for EINIRAS – 9 October 2007 by Ran Hock Online Strategies

First -- • What is Web 2.0, really? • Why should I care? • Will it just go away?

Manifestations of Web 2.0 • Wikis • Mashups • Blogs • RSS • Streaming audio/video (really Web 1.0) • Tagging • Instant Messaging (really Web 1.0) • Social Networks • Web-based software • Widgets • Ajax and API’s

Web 2.0 Is: Internet communication and productivity tools that are: • User-Centered • Collaborative • Social • Interactive • Content-rich • Multi-media-rich • De-centralized (control)

Web 2.0 Is • Not a fad, not a movement, not a cause • It is simply a description of what is happening.

Web 2.0 Also Concerns“The Long Tail” • Chris Anderson (Wired Magazine) – demand for high-sales items, such as the best-selling books, is far exceeded by the total demand for lower popularity items. • Web 2.0 allows that long tail to be effectively addressed as never before. • Libraries have usually had a “long tail” of clients (infrequent and non-users) and “stock”

Fairly Obvious Web 2.0 Opportunities in the Library • IM interaction between librarians and users • Personalized OPAC/ILS interface, with suggested readings (automatic), sharing, bookmarks, user ratings, user recommendations, discussions, etc. • Taggable databases, content, (including OPACs) • Mashups of multiple databases and media • Interactive, media-rich tutorials • Bibliographic instruction broadened to information tools instruction

Fairly Obvious Web 2.0 Opportunities in the Library • E-content • Library blogs, RSS feeds, wikis • Librarian/user wikis • Organization of Web 2.0 manifestations (wikis, blogs, mashups, etc.) • Re-birth of “bibliographies” – dynamic, user-centered, user-generated, user-edited.

Fairly Obvious Web 2.0 Opportunities in the Library • Extension of the library’s role of a meeting place – Content-rich virtual spaces • More interactive library websites

What It Means for Librarians • Web 2.0 For Librarians – The Librarian as User • Web 2.0 For Library Users

What It Means for Librarians • Web 2.0 is only a threat if we (librarians and other information workers) ignore and don’t become a part of it. • Are we to be seen as up-to-date, savvy, and innovative? • The “2.0” part may be a fad, but the essence is not.

Librarian 2.0 • Web 2.0 brings up issues we should be addressing anyway: • How “user-centered” are we, how user-centered do we want to be, how user-centered should we be. • How collaborative do we want to be, can we be, should we be? • The librarian as “facilitator” • Web 2.0 (Library 2.0) provides a reason to re-examine library services!

The Interesting Intersection of Librarianship and Web 2.0 • User-centered - We like to think so • Collaborative - Emphatically • Social - Most of us • Interactive - basically • Content-rich - Emphatically • Facing Decentralization of Authority/Control – Yes

Doing It • Can we? • Should we? • Do we want to?

Probably the Most Important Point of All • A library can become a Web 2.0 Library at virtually no cost, no risk. • If it is successful, it can indeed take time • It can be done in pieces • There is no long-term commitment –Throw out or change what doesn’t work, with no embarrassment

Challenges • Understanding the technologies • Understanding our younger and our more progressive users • Separating fads from substance • Accepting and participating in change but not change for change’s sake

Important Question Providing Web 2.0 for Library / Library users (esp. for blogs, wikis, tagging, etc.) • Will they use it and participate (do they care and have the time)? • If it provides relevant, timely “answers” they will come

The Long Tail of Users • The new 80-20 rule • 2.0 tools and approaches are a means of getting to the long tail, reaching new and under-utilizing users • Blogs, RSS and wikis can address general and niche user groups.

If You Decide to Web 2.0-ize the Library • It’s easy – if you have a little time and a little encouragement. • New skills required are minimal –it’s getting easier by the day • Some resources for getting started painlessly and quickly are at onstrat.com/web2

The Collaboration Side • As librarians and information professionals, we pride ourselves on collaboration and sharing • Web 2.0 collaboration extends not just to users but to others in organizations (e.g., IT people, archivists) and to vendors. • Vendors want (or should want) to be Web 2.0-friendly. • You don’t need to know AJAX, but it may be helpful to know someone who does.

Library 2.0 Here and There • Is it catching on more quickly in the US and Canada? • If so, why?

“Theories” on That • Americans are used to and don’t mind embarrassing themselves, are more susceptible to fads. • Americans are more boastful, “evangelical”, and public, while our cousins are more reserved, traditional, and private • Simply an epidemiological issue • Intrapreneurship and going beyond the “job description” is encouraged in libraries

Summary • There is little reason not to do it • There are lots of reasons to do it • It is valuable to users and to us as professionals

Ran HockOnline StrategiesVienna, VA, USACompany site: www.onstrat.comBooks site: www.extremesearcher.com001.703.242.6078ran@onstrat.com

Web 2.0 Library 2.0 Librarian 2.0