#23 That's all folks

Well, I've finally made it through all the exercises for Library 2.0. I feel a lot more confident and knowledgeable about some of the Web tools we've looked at. Before starting this program I had looked at YouTube, LibraryThing and Wikipedia briefly but knew nothing about blogging software, social bookmarking or RSS feeds. I thought I was fairly competent with the internet but I have learnt a great deal through this program, discovered some great sites and blogs and have been able to give some thought to ways in which we can incorporate these innovations into our library services. Blogging is much easier than I realised it would be (and more addictive). It has taken a lot more time than I anticipated and a lot of perseverance but I think it's been worth it. Who knows, after a little break I may even continue down the road to learn more about Library 2.0. Congratulations to everyone who made it!

#15 More thoughts about Library 2.0

"Library 2.0 is a user-centered virtual community. It is a socially rich, often egalitarian electronic space. While Librarian 2.0 might act as a facilitator and provide support, he or she is not necessarily primarily responsible for the creation of the content."
That's a quote from a very informative article by Jack Maness on Library 2.0 Theory.The key concepts here are community and facilitator. Library 2.0 is about not only being responsive to our library users but allowing them real input into the shape of the library - and by this I mean the library as an information community existing in the virtual as well as the physical world. Wikis, blogs etc are just two of the tools that might be used to achieve this. Goodbye to the desk!