library 2.0

while doing the reading for this exercise, i thought of what the city library already does (and does well) with the Library 2.0 frame-of-mind and what it could do better.

to me, library 2.0 means that the library is beyond user-friendly, it's user-driven. library services and subject matter can and should be available in users' preferred environment, which has become the Web. in this part, i must admit that i am not a big fan of the city library website. and i know i'm not alone. patrons ask questions and even complain, all the time. i am hopeful that when the Web Master position is filled, our web page will improve. i believe that a great website is crucial in this era of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0.

something that the city library is doing very well these days is being MORE than just a collection of resources that users can find on the internet. we offer so many programs that most of the time, i feel like my head is spinning, we offer our public space for public discussions. in the past, i have struggled with how much of the library's resources (both in staffing and in financial) are devoted to programming. i have been of the old-school librarian thought that more of the budget should be spent on The Collection. now, thinking along library 2.0 lines, i am reexamining my position on the programming issue. perhaps it's not an issue-collection vs. programming, maybe it's necessary for the library's survival in the present and future?

i really enjoyed the examples in "Into a New World of Librarianship" of the most important traits of a LIBRARIAN 2.0, as i think i am one, or striving to be. :P