Library 2.0

Having read various explanations of Library 2.0, I think "user-centered change" is something that has always been a necessary part of Libraries. I realise that 'technology' is central to the concept' but that is only because that is the latest innovation to implement connectivity with the user isn't it? Of course the idea that a user can configure the display of an online library catalog much more easily than a card one is obvious, but the philosophy that the service responds to customer needs has always been part of the ethos of any library I have worked in. The idea that there is no point in collecting something if no-one can find it, that if customers want it, we should have it, and that there is not much need for a librarian if they are not helpful, surely, is not a new concept in libraries.

Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk in their article 'LIBRARY 2.0 ; SERVICE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION LIBRARY' write that "At its most basic level, the Library 2.0 model gives library users a participatory role in the services libraries offer and the way they are used." Shouldn't this be central to any area of customer service.

The idea of commenting on Library 2.0 proved a stumbling block for me in completing the 23 tasks. What insightful and thought provoking comments could I make? It has caused me to think how much the rest of the world is doing the opposite eg. the experience of shopping/retailing for example. So much of what is on offer is preselected for us by the retailer with very little regard to the preferences of the customer eg. bookshops which stock the same generic stock of authors. Shopping centres where the same 40 or so shops appear, with the same window display and the same stock in each, no matter that they are in Glenferrie Rd,Torquay or Melbourne Central. A couple of experiences over the summer break for instance - going into the Birkenstock shop in the city and asking, specifically, for clogs, in December, to be told that they only stock sandals because NO-ONE wants clogs in summer. Recently in the Medicare office I was told how to rearrange my family's behaviour to cope with the fact that Medicare will only allow 2 cards per household, despite the fact that the household consists of 3 adults. Can we look forward to Retailing 2.0, or do we already have it, which is why online shopping is such a satisfying experience.

Mmmm.. the rantings of an ageing librarian.

Look at del.icio.us

First of all I am dropping the full stops, can't be bothered. My initial thoughts about delicious were the same as with digg - ok, not my thing, just because someone else is interested doesn't mean that it will interest me. However after some playing around I found sites that I have never found before on topics of interest. I have searched numerous times for free knitting patterns on the web. I have found some very interesting blogs with ideas and hints, some patterns, some very quirky patterns but no significant resource. However, following a few threads in delicious I found this site which is fantastic, hundreds of patterns, all categorised. In the 'quirky' category fall knit and crochet graffiti and microfibremilitia. I have not joined and probably won't, but I will keep looking.

Create a Google Home Page

I created a Google home page which I am using on my home computer. I have the weather, times in other regions of the world, sudoku, the NY Times crossword, a currency converter, a daylight map and a dictionary. I haven't yet had time to do the puzzles, but I quite like the look of 'busyness'.

I have added the Facebook gadget, Book search gadget and the Facebook gadget. All useful !

Google Books

I could use this for browsing obscure topics of interest and to see what is published on a topic. My favourite search term 'Volhynia' finds 691 'full view' items, many in English. I tried surnames of my family and found reports of court cases, a name on a roll of pharmacists, and a history of Kent with references to my ancestors.

Google Maps

I love Google maps, it has lots of uses. My son is moving to London, has found accommodation and looked at the address on Google Maps. We know how much traffic there is in the street, the size of the garden, distance to the station and his route to work.

I knew it existed and fiddled with it before, but never thought to use it for anything useful. I could have used it recently when planning a trip to Perth, for instance, trying to book an hotel, even with a map, it was tricky to envisage the location in relation to transport, shopping etc. Google maps would have been useful.

Google Docs

I don't think that I would use Google Docs, although I can see that it could be useful to share documents, or if you needed to access documents from different computers. I suppose now that you know these tools exist opportunities may arise to use them.

Suscribe to another blog

Subscribed to Librarians Matter to to read discussion of 'The Librarians' on ABC TV last night.