What is Next Gen Library?

As a library student, I am currently working for a library branch where we are trying to intergrate Library 2.0. I recently did a paper where I discussed the implentation of using some Library 2.0 tools.

Why Do Libraries Need to Upgrade to Library 2.0?

Over the 2007 summer, Florida lawmakers passed a property tax reform bill that could save extra money from the rising cost of property taxes for many Floridians. However, since many government services are tied to the property tax as the main source of revenue, one can easily conclude; with less revenue there will be less services the public can benefit. As such, libraries are part of the government that provides service to the public that is more than allowing people to check out books to read. Libraries offer access to computers and laptops to many patrons, both adult and children, who many simply can not afford or have one of their own to search the Internet or perform personal, educational and professional matters. Libraries offer many programmed events from story time for toddlers to adults who want to open their own business. In addition, libraries offer outreach programs to those who can not physically get to a library by providing bookmobiles or have materials shipped to and from their home. Libraries offer so much to everyone from the time they are born to the day they die that it is hard to imagine not having a library in our lives to service our needs. As Parker (2007) noted, “In times of change and challenge, Floridians need more library service, not less.” When faced with this reality of looming cutbacks are lurking just around the corner, what can libraries do to still continue to be a vital part of the community? Libraries can upgrade themselves to a Library 2.0 platform. This paper will examine three key issues: what is Library 2.0, what are the tool and cost of implementation of Library 2.0, and what are the pros and cons of Library 2.0.

What is Library 2.0? First, there needs to be an explanation on how the term came to be by discussing Web 2.0. Miller (2006) quotes Tim O’Reilly who coined the phrase Web 2.0:

“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 formthat 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.”One must be clear that some characteristics and concepts of Web 2.0 which is used specifically for library makes up Library 2.0. Miller (2006) goes further with this observation, “We are seeing library vendors, staff, patrons, digital library researchers and more all giving serious consideration to ways in which the value currently locked up so tightly within our systems can be realized and surfaced in a wide variety of ways that extend far beyond the physical walls of the library and the far less malleable virtual walls of its current systems.” When compared with this statement against Raber’s Problem of Information does it become clear how necessary Library 2.0 is needed. Raber commented, “Sometimes people who seek information fail to satisfy their need. They may use a formal information system when it is not appropriate, or they may fail to use one when it is, “ (2003, p. 202). If Library 2.0 uses the web as a collaborative platform for businesses, institutions, and people to upload, share, and download information with each other then those who seek information will find value in the information. The variety of different platforms will allow the user to find an information system that work best for them and in the process their needs will be met and justly satisfied. What are the tools and costs of implementation of Library 2.0? There are many Library 2.0 tools which libraries can use which they can custom tailor to their specific needs and criteria. What is even more important, these tools are either free to use or have a nominal charge which makes to libraries who are facing cutbacks a no-brainer option. This portion of the paper will look at three specific tools: blogs, online social networks, and podcasts.Blogs are a shorten name for web logs. Technorati (2007) is a website that tracks and uses a search engine to find blog content on the web. To date, Technorati has tracked over 112.8 million blogs. Bloggers, those who write blogs, can be cover a variety of different subjects and allow others to read and comment on their perspectives, ideas, and opinions. Libraries can use blogs, for example, to discuss upcoming events, announcements, get patron feedback, or deliver other important information electronically without the need to print, ship, or mail hard copies to the branches and patrons. If there needs to be on update, blogs can updated as quickly as the information in typed into a computer and then uploaded to the blog site. Zeller (2007) who works for the Williamsburg Regional Library in Virginia is one such branch that uses a blog in another matter to deliver their reader’s advisory service to their patrons. They offer one new review on a daily basis, Monday through Friday, which cover books, movies, and music. In addition, this has lead to an increased circulation on those items discussed on the blog. Comments are also welcomed at the end of each review as this lends to greater a community involvement and interaction with those are not able to go to an actual library or those who want to stay connected to their branch from home, work, or anywhere in the world. Another Library 2.0 tool to use would be online social networks. Some popular online social networks people can join free of charge are: Facebook, Bebo, and MySpace.

Hupfer, Maxson, & Williams (2007, 10-11) commented on these social networks as:

“Big parties that live online. You walk in to a room full of people and see close friends, some familiar faces, and a lot of complete strangers. You naturally gravitate toward your close friends. Those close friends acquaint you with familiar faces they know based on your mutual friendship. Those new acquaintances then introduce you to the complete stranger they know based on your mutual interests. The same thing happened on MySpace, except there are on the order of 100 million people at the party.“ If we put this practice into play just like Riverview Public Library (2007) in Riverview, MI, we can see how a library can attract more patrons even without stepping foot into the library itself. Taking this a step further, cities where there are multiple branches can have dedicated niche groups like a book, music, and movie clubs. Once you see others with the same interests as yourself, the library becomes an even greater focal point as a re-imagined community center done virtually.The last Library 2.0 tool to be discussed are podcast and podcasting. Since Apple’s iPod is a very popular mp3 player one does not need to own one to produce a podcast. What a podcast is a mp3 file which can be easily uploaded and downloaded for anyone to access the program. All that is needed is a desktop or laptop computer, audio software, and a microphone. These are the basic requirements to produce an audio program which can showcase storytelling, lectures, and interviews just to name a few. A good example is how of this tool being incorporated by a library the Sunnyvale Library in Sunnyvale, CA. There are audio program which supports the library’s mission, “To connect you with the information you need, when and where you need it. Podcasting gives you the convenience of accessing and viewing content at your leisure,” (Sunnyvale, 2007). While all these Library 2.0 tools sound interesting in concept and usage, what are the costs? What makes using these tools even greater are the little to no cost to buy or use the software. For example, there are many free blogging platforms such as Blogger and WordPress are free of charge. Signing up for a MySpace account costs nothing but the time to fill out demographic information online. Podcasting does require some financial thought but a microphone can be bought for under $20. Storage of the podcast is another concern since may libraries may not have the hardware to have a dedicated server for storage. There are online storage sites that can serve this purpose for a nominal fee ranging from $5 to $30 per month. Prior to any new program implementation, there has to be a listing of the pros and cons using Library 2.0 to judge the value of the program.Pro Library 2.0 tools can better organize information better for internal and external usage

Learning new skills are part of the libraries lifelong learning for staffers and patrons

Information can be delivered on different platforms which can be accessed via cell phone, mp3 players, desktops and other portable devices

There is greater interaction between the library and its patrons and saves the information for future usage

Information can be easily found on less formal information systems

Con

More vested librarians, para-professional staffers, and upper management may fight against the giving up control of information

Some technical training may not be easily mastered by all

Lack of safeguards, privacy and intellectual property rights may become issues

Constant upkeep and maintenance

Non library servers may crash and lose valuable data

In conclusion, while researching how other libraries used Library 2.0, each had their own reason for using these new applications. In the case of Florida’s property tax reform, the need for Library 2.0 becomes even more paramount to deliver more with using less resources. Librarians need to learn and implement these new tools today to handle the problems and issues they will face now and tomorrow. As previously discussed, the cost of Library 2.0 is reasonably priced except for the major investment of time to learn new sets of skills. There is more ownership in creating accurate information from the library staff and patrons. Safeguards can be put in place to prevent any wrong doing and more often than not, people will respect the integrity of the presented information for their own personal usage. Libraries need to be ahead of the curve or at the very least stay abreast of the latest technologies to not only make information to be easily retrieved but have meaningful concept. Upgrading to Library 2.0 makes all the sense in the world when you can see how easily it can be implemented and how quickly we can all benefit from the added value of service.

Reference

Elder, A. (2007). Communication as Community: The New Room. OLA Quartley v. 13

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Hupfer, R., Maxson, M., & Williams, R. (2007). MySpace for Dummies. Indianapolis, IN:

Wiley

Miller, P. (2006, April). A Call to Arms. D-Lib Magazine v. 12 no. 4 (April 2006) p. 1.

[Online]. Available: http://www.dlib.org/dlib/april06/miller/04miller.html

Parker, C. (2007, May 16). Florida Library Association Statement on Florida’s Property

Tax Reform Debate. Florida Library Association. [Online]. Available:

http://www.flalib.org/PDFdocuments/tasReformStatement_07.pdf

Raber, D. (2003). The problem of information: An introduction to information science.

Lanham, MD: Scarecrow.

Riverview Public Library (2007). Riverview Public Library. [Online]. Available:

http://www.myspace.com/riverviewlibrary

Sunnyvale Public Library Podcasts (2007). About Library Podcasts. Sunnyvale Public

Library Podcasts: Audio and Video Broadcasts of Library Programs and Sunnyvale

Voices Stories. [Online]. Available: http://www.librarypodcasts.org/about/

Technorati (2007). About Us. Technorati. [Online]. Available:

http://technorati.com/about/

Zellers, J. (2007). In Blog Heaven: A Painless New Approach to Readers’ Advisory.

Virginia Libraries v. 53 no. 3 (July/August/September 2007) p. 23-24. [Online].

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