[Web4lib] Skills for Library 2.0 Leaders

[David Kemper]

What a great discussion!

I think everyone has brought up some very valid points and critical
observations about the whole Web 2.0 phenomenon. While I do not
believe Web 2.0 is a passing fad, as Chad mentioned, I can see where
he is coming from on this.

The terminology to be adopted by the public to describe and define
"Web 2.0" will surface in due time. Someone mentioned the death of the
term "Information Superhighway." I cringe when I hear those words
nowadays. But back in 1995 or so, when I remember browsing the web
using something called Lynx (I think), those were the coolest words to
hit a computer screen. It eventually became what we affectionately
call the Web.

Right now (at least for me at my level of understanding), the term Web
2.0 still works, still describes in essence what I feel will not pass
or fade away: the participatory web, the user-created web experience
and the enabling of better search and discovery and collaboration and
connection among users.

As information professionals with an affinity for the Web and
technology, I think it is tempting to run amok with "Library 2.0,"
offering 2.0 solutions to every user need (well, I know I feel that
way sometimes). But the real answer--rather, real strategy--still lies
in listening to user needs and then responding to them, whether with a
blog, podcast or a plain and simple Library 1.0 solution.

David
Archivist, Web Services
IMF Archives

On 4/30/07, Stevens, Julieanne H. <jhsteven at law.stetson.edu> wrote:
>
> Like most everyone else, I think that more advanced programming type
> skills are nice, but not particularly necessary. A little Dreamweaver,
> Front Page or a WYSIWYG editor and I think most of us are good to go.
> (Obviously depending on how much help you get from your IT department
> and what branding applies to web pages, even intranet pages)
>
>  We're in the process of making some basic additions to start with;
> we're adding pertinent RSS feeds and Blog links to subject
> bibliographies. My big project this summer is linking "lessons" for each
> database to the database so that students can learn on their own how to
> use it. Scope notes alone  are no longer enough information.
>
>  I'm also not seeing a "perfect world" solution to the interface of
> databases and serials holdings. Serials Solutions is  awesome, with
> their Journals A-Z list, even being able to incorporate bound holdings,
> but   a database web page is LOT of information for 'one' page.  The
> primary issue is accessibility; pop-ups, mouseovers and related
> gimmicks don't work in a world where your web pages have to be
> accessible.
>
> We want an intranet WIKI for both the library staff and a separate  one
> for faculty. (In the early planning stage; we're not sure whether and
> how these should be separated; faculty doesn't need to know  how to do a
> task in Millennium, but both groups would do well to see our new
> acquisitions.  Faculty need quick access to passwords for services they
> only need occasionally ( Pacer, NYT, Wall Street Journal, etc.) and to
> special announcements, services and contact information particular to
> them.
>
> We're in the process of setting up an RSS page for just our library
> professional and paraprofessional with  news/feeds. This way, all of us
> can catch up on our reading from a similar starting point. I know who
> else is on a routing slip for a particular journal; I don't know who
> else is reading a particular blog.  With a common page, we can all
> assume  the rest of the staff has read something.  We  have a yahoo
> group for Library employees, for both emergency contacts and soon,
> perhaps for the RSS access.
>
>
> I think one of the stumbling blocks to the infamous Library 2.0  is that
> it's LIFE 2.0; it's not particular to libraries, or any other
> institution. As many other people have said with much more finesse, this
> all is still about  what our client/patron base needs and wants.
>
> Juju
> Julieanne Hartman Stevens, MLS, JD
> Electronic Services and Reference Librarian
> Stetson University College of Law
> 1401 61st Street South
> Gulfport, Florida 33707-3299
> Direct Line 727-562-7304
> Internal  Extension 7204
> JHSteven at law.stetson.edu
>
> If librarianship is the connecting of people to ideas - and I believe
> that is the truest definition of what we do - it is crucial to remember
> that we must keep and make available, not just good ideas and noble
> ideas, but bad ideas, silly ideas, and yes, even dangerous or wicked
> ideas."
>  Graceanne A. Decandido
>
>
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