Thing #15: Library 2.0

The Library 2.0 seems to be the next step where libraries are the connection between users and all types and formats of information. I relate my description of Libraries 2.0 to Michael Stephens’ principle: “libraries are human” and Ranganathan’s principle: “the library is a growing organism.” Both of these suggest that libraries change with trends and users’ needs. The present and future needs of users involve all types of technology and online resources. Libraries need to create tools and gateways for users to reach the resources and information they need in the delivery format they need it. Like Dr. Bishop mentioned in class, “We need to make ourselves needed by the school staff, so they see the importance of our roles.” The same goes for the actual library. Users need to view libraries as useful. I created the image above to illustrate this point of getting information across in many different ways to meet users’ needs.
Library 2.0 also indicates to me that users are no longer just receiving information. Users are becoming information sources. Users still search for articles, videos, references, and other sources of information, but now they are also posting articles, creating presentations/videos and uploading them to the web. It’s a give-and-take situation. As the internet grows to deliver information, schools have a bigger job than just reading and writing, they must teach students to create, disseminate, evaluate, and deliver information. Librarians can be a great asset for this job. We are the information gurus and can teach our students and teachers to become integral components of the virtual world.