WEB 2.0/LIBRARY 2.0 (Thing 23)

The original Web used technology through which people could retrieve information (I know this is a simplified statement). Web 2.0 uses technology that is interactive. Because of this the various social networking sites have sprung up, as well as RSS feeds, podcasts, wikis, blogs, and many other applications.

On our journey through 23 Things we have examined many of these new applications and learned more about them. Library 2.0 applies Web 2.0 tools. That is why our library is able to create such blogs as staff picks which people can read or subscribe to as an RSS feed, why our library can provide access to downloadable audiobooks, videos, eBooks, and music, and why some libraries can establish Facebook accounts through which they interact with their teen customers. There are many other applications which I have not listed and which of which I may not be aware.

As one article pointed out, libraries cannot plan technology projects that span a multitude of months because technology is changing so fast. But on the other hand, I think that each library needs an overall plan as to how it will be using new technology in the library and what part of the new technology the library wants to use. Libraries should not embrace all new technology just because it’s new. They need to know the direction in which they are going so that they implement the right (for them) technology projects.

In summary, I’d like to say that I have learned new concepts and applications by going through the 23 Things and finishing the tasks, some of which I enjoyed more than others.