Artculo

Knowledge of Library 2.0

Technology

Foto: Sunset & the Thinker. Esparta Palma

www.flickr.com/photos/esparta

Autor: K. Dhanush Raja

Librarian (India)

ibraries are changing. Funding limits and customer demands are

transforming staffing levels, service models, access to resources,
and services to the public. Administrators and taxpayers are seeking
more efficient ways of delivering services to achieve greater returns
on financial investments. Enter Library 2.0. This new model for library
service is being discussed online, at conferences, in administrative
offices, and at the reference desk. If you and library staff are not among
those already talking 2.0, pay attention; Library 2.0 could revitalize the
way we serve and interact with our customers.
The heart of Library 2.0 is user-centered change. It is a model for
library service that encourages constant and purposeful change,
inviting user participation in the creation of both the physical and
the virtual services they want, supported by consistently evaluating
services. It also attempts to reach new users and better serve current

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ones through improved customer-driven offerings. Each component by

itself is a step toward better serving our users; however, it is through the
combined implementation of all of these that we can reach Library 2.0.
While not required, technology can help libraries create a customer-driven,
2.0 environment. Web 2.0 technologies have played a significant role in
our ability to keep up with the changing needs of library users.
Technological advances in the past several years have enabled libraries
to create new services that before were not possible, such as virtual
reference, personalized OPAC interfaces, or downloadable media that
library customers can use in the comfort of their own homes. This increase
in available technologies gives libraries the ability to offer improved,
customer-driven service opportunities.
Web 2.0
According to Wikipedia Generally refers to a second generation of services
available on the WWW that lets people collaborate and share information
online. It is Shared Picture, News, videos, Bookmarks, Knowledge,
Everything.
According to Tim OReillys Web 2.0 is the network as platform, spanning
all connected devices; Web 2.0 applications are those that make the
most of the intrinsic advantages of that platform: delivering software as
a continually-updated service that gets better the more people use it,
consuming and remixing data from multiple sources, including individual
users, while providing their own data and services in a form that allows
remixing by others, creating network effects through an architecture of
participation, and going beyond the page metaphor of Web 1.0 to deliver
rich user experiences.
Basic Principles of Web 2.0
Principles of Web 2.0, as discussed here, still apply in almost any endeavor
that must deal with information to succeed. Here they are:
- Web 2.0 presages a freeing of data, allowing it to be exposed, discovered
and manipulated in a variety of ways distinct from the purpose of the
application originally used to gain access.
- Web 2.0 permits the building of virtual applications, drawing data and
functionality from a number of different sources as appropriate.
- Web 2.0 is participative
- Web 2.0 applications work for the user.
- Web 2.0 applications are modular, with developers and users able to
pick and choose from a set of interoperating components in order to build
something that meets their needs.
- Web 2.0 is about sharing: code, content, ideas.

>>
Technological
advances
in the past
several years
have enabled
libraries to
create new
services that
before were
not possible

- Web 2.0 is about communication and facilitating

community.
- Web 2.0 is about remix.
- Web 2.0 is smart.
- Web 2.0 opens up the Long Tail.
- Web 2.0 is built upon Trust.
Web 2.0 + Library = Library 2.0
Much of the discussion around Web 2.0 centres
upon Californias Bay Area, upon small venture
capital-backed startup companies, and upon
leveraging the Web services of Amazon and
others to build interesting niche applications with
a sustainability model no more advanced than
relying upon Google AdSense. Surely this world
of geeks, money and advertising offers little to
the library sector.

stated fear that many users, much of the time,

will bypass processes and institutions that they
perceive to be slow, unresponsive, unappealing
and irrelevant in favors of a more direct approach
to services offered by others that just might be
good enough for what they need to do.
Libraries should be seizing every opportunity
to challenge these perceptions, and to push
their genuinely valuable content, services and
expertise out to places where people might
stand to benefit from them; places where a user
would rarely consider drawing upon a library for
support.
Library 2.0

Library 2.0 is about

changing our services to
reflect the needs of our
patrons. It is not just about
technology. However, technology
is a main driver in the movement. It is
Leveraging the approaches typified by Web 2.0s virtual, it is 24/7, and invites participation
o f
principles and technology offers libraries many patrons in the library, and it uses top-notch,
opportunities to serve their existing audiences flexible software and systems.
better, and to reach out beyond the walls and
Web sites of the institution to reach potential According to Michael Casey Library 2.0 is,
beneficiaries where they happen to be, and in perhaps above all else, the idea of constant
association with the task that they happen to be change. Not only constant library change, but the
undertaking. With these approaches, we take recognition that our communities are constantly
our existing wealth of data, and we make it work changing and that our services to them must
much harder. We begin to break down the internal change proportionately.
silos of the separate systems within a single
library, and we connect those components to one Technologies used: Library 2.0
another, and to related components and services
far beyond the building. At a technical level, we - RSS (really simple syndication).
make it possible for searchers to be presented - Wikis, Blogs and Blogging.
with choices to view online, borrow locally, - Commentary and comments functionality.
request from afar, buy or sell as appropriate to - Personalization and My Profile features.
their needs and circumstance.
- Personal media such as Pod casting and MP3
files.
Technically, it is possible, and we are doing it - Streaming media audio and video formats.
with standards and specifications shared across - Reviews and user driven ratings.
a range of sectors, rather than inventing our - Personalized Alerts.
own library-specific standards once again. Can - Web Services.
our institutional procedures and our antiquated - Instant messaging and virtual reference
notions of membership keep up? Libraries including co-browsing.
were once the guardians of knowledge, and the - Tagging, and tag clouds.
point at which those seeking existing knowledge - Social networking software.
would engage with it. With the rise of Google, - Open Access, Open Source, Open Content.
Amazon, Wikipedia and more, there is an oft-

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Library User as collaborator: Library 2.0
At its most basic level, the Library 2.0 model
gives library users a participatory role in the
service libraries offer and the way they are used.
Library users, should they desire, will be able
to tailor library services to best meet their own
needs. This can be done electronically, such as
through the personalization of library web pages
or physically through new service options such
as allowing customers to call impromptu book
talks or discussion groups. Such collaborative
efforts require librarians to develop a more
intensive routine of soliciting customer response
and regularly evaluating and updating services.

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libraries, staff feedback, and by surveying both

current and potential customers.
Managing the Technology: Library 2.0

The openness of Library 2.0 extends to the

software and hardware that libraries use,
including Integrated Library Systems (ILS).
Modifiable automation systems and catalogs are
preferable to proprietary, closed systems. Some
librarians, such as John Blyberg, Ann Arbors
network administrator, are concerned that
ILS vendors, in an attempt to capitalize on the
changes brought about by Library 2.0, will design
proprietary interfaces to link library catalog data
with our users. Blyberg has responded with a call
To increase both librarys appeal and value to for open standards. His proposed ILS Customer
users, consider implementing customizable and Bill of Rights charges libraries with the need to
participatory services. The Library 2.0 model seeks have usable access to the data that they own in
to harness our users knowledge to supplement their databases and the ability to create service
and improve library services. User comments, applications that use that data in new and creative
tags, and ratings feed user-created content back ways.
into these web sites. Ultimately, this creates a
more informative product for subsequent users. Not every library system can employ
Library customers have favorite titles, authors, programmers or maintain a large IT staff. Id
and genres. Allowing them to comment, write say the problem (not the excuse) is that a typical
reviews, create their own tags and ratings, and library webmaster is very part-time, Tutt Library
share them with others through a more versatile at Colorado College librarian said. I would love
OPAC interface will enhance the catalog. to implement some of these Web 2.0 ideas,
Customers want to know what their neighbors but with reference, instruction, and collection
are reading, listening to, and watching.
development responsibilities, I dont have the
time to innovate constantly. In my own case,
Hennepin County Library, MN, has taken this Im hoping I can leverage free sites like Flickr
step by allowing users to comment in the catalog. and PBWiki and APIs [an application program
When creating customizable services you should interface, the end result of which is often referred
also consider customer privacy. Libraries should to as a mash up} like Google Maps to create a
remain as vigilant with protecting customer Web 2.0friendly environment for the library web
privacy with technology-based services as they site.
are with traditional, physical library services.
There are ways to preserve privacy, such as In other libraries, applying 2.0 is a question of
by allowing anonymous comments and tagging awareness. Ask yourself if the library is ready
within the catalog. Library users should not be for this type of shift [in technology], because,
required to identify themselves publicly in order overwhelmingly, the answer is no, Librarians
to participate in virtual services. While a lot of the just arent thinking like this yet, and we need to
discussion about Library 2.0 involves technology, change this. Its at the very core of the whole
libraries with limited technology funding or in Library 2.0 discussion, and this is why its so
communities affected by the digital divide can still critical. If we keep our content locked up on our
work toward Library 2.0. If technology options are own web sites and dont get it out there for people
limited, consider physical functions that will better to use as they want to use it, then our content
serve current customers as well as bring in new will fall by the wayside. For many, a realistic
ones. You can develop ideas for new, affordable start means embracing some inexpensive,
offerings, including physical services, from other even free new technologies. Libraries currently

These online tools offer valuable collaborative functions. Two writers

can simultaneously work on Writely, crafting changes visible to the other
writer, no matter their physical distance. Many other Microsoft Officestyle
applications exist online. 37signals offers several useful online tools that
range from its powerful project management application Base camp to the
personal information organizer Backpack and sharable to-do lists called
Ta-da Listsall of which are available in free, fully optioned versions. Also,
Microsoft has recently announced online productivity tools to come from
Microsoft Office Live.
Service: Library 2.0
Any service, physical or virtual, that successfully reaches users, is evaluated
frequently, and makes use of customer input is a Library 2.0 service. Even
older, traditional services can be Library 2.0 if criteria are met. Similarly,
being new is not enough to make a service Library 2.0.
Many libraries have made encouraging advances in their electronic offerings
by providing access to top-quality databases, downloadable audio books
and music, and instant messaging reference services. Gwinnett County
Public Library (GCPL) in Lawrenceville, GA, has launched a successful
downloadable music, video, and audio book service. South Huntington
Public Library, Huntington Station, NY, has already created an iPod Shuffle
loan program. Some libraries have expanded physical services by creating
specific areas for teen and community activities, reflecting the publics
desire for a civic space and exciting new programs.
Currently, libraries have a tendency to plan, implement, and forget. Library
2.0 attempts to change this by encouraging the development of a schedule
that includes regularly soliciting customer feedback and evaluating and
updating services. Both new and existing library services should be
revisited routinely to ensure that they are still meeting expected goals.
Even older, traditional library services should be reviewed with a fresh eye
to determine if any aspect needs updating.
Conclusion
Web 2.0 is an attitude, not a technology. The same is true of Library 2.0.
Technology merely offers us a means by which we can realise a set of
goals shared across the library sector.
When thinking about ways to work toward Library 2.0, consider what
services your library already offers that could be improved as well as
new things that can be added. This includes both technology-based and
nanotechnology services. Also consider applications that are presented

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>> Currently, libraries have a tendency to plan, implement,

and forget. Library 2.0 attempts to change this

offering word processing may want to move away from locally installed
and administered applications and instead point customers to such
wonderful online tools as Writely and Write board, which both offer word
processing applications that run in the web browser. Michael Arrington, of
the blog TechCrunch, says, Writely is no longer a toyit is fast becoming
a legitimate alternative to Word.

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virtually, such as virtual reference, and those offered in the

branches, such as your ILL system. Libraries have to evolve
continuously to keep up with the changing needs of their users.
You can help keep your service offerings fresh by always looking
for new ideas and reevaluating old ones. Your library may
already offer some services that can be considered Library 2.0.
If your organization combines these Library 2.0 options with a
framework for continual change and customer input integrated
into other operations within your library, it will be well on its way
to becoming Library 2.0.
Many tools and ideas will come from the world of Web 2.0, and
many will have nothing to do with technology. The specifics of
the Library 2.0 model will be different for each library system.
Every library has a different starting point. Through collaboration
between staff and users, you will be able to develop a clear
idea of how this model will work for your organization.

References
1. Paul Miller, Web 2.0: Building the New Library, Ariadne Issue 45, (October 2005). http://www.
ariadne.ac.uk/issue45/miller/intro.html
2. Michael E. Casey and Laura C. Savastinuk, Service for the next-generation library, Library Journal,
(Jan 2006). http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html
3. Miller, P., Converted to pod casting, Thinking about the Future blog, (September 2005). http://
paulmiller.typepad.com/thinking_about_the_future/2005/09/converted_to_po.html
4. Miller.P, Interoperability. What is it and why should I want it?, Ariadne June 2000. http://www.
ariadne.ac.uk/issue24/interoperability
5. Marylaine Block, Library 2.0 Means Better Service, British Columbia Library Association, (April
2007). http://marylaine.com/lib20.html
6. OReilly, T., What is Web 2.0, (September 2005). http://www.oreilly.com/go/web2
7. Miller, P., Thinking About This Web 2.0 Thing, Thinking About the Future blog, (August 2005 )
http://paulmiller.typepad.com/thinkingaboutthefuture/2005/08/thinking_about.html
8. Backstage.bbc.co.uk http://backstage.bbc.co.uk
9. http://www.talis.com/resources/documents/447_Library_2_prf1.pdf