Week 6: Web 2.0-Library 2.0

So what is the future of libraries?

I decided to look up my daughter's year 11 recommended dictionary, The Oxford Australian Student's Colour Dictionary, 3rd ed, 2005, for a definition of a library. Library (noun): 1. a collection of books for reading or borrowing; 2. a room or building where these are kept; 3. a similar collection of recordings, films, computer routines, etc. 4. a series of books issued in similar bindings as a set. Librarian (noun): a person in charge of or assisting in a library. Mmmm, I think Melvil Dewey could have written those definitions! I only hope that year 11 students never have to look up the definition of a library and see such an archaic definition of a library in the year 2007! Especially when these students could do a blog in their sleep!!!!!

It is for this reason that I initially listed in my profile that my occupation was 'information technologist' not librarian. We need to change people's fuddy duddy image of libraries as quiet repositories for books. In an information technology age, libraries need to be seen to be embracing new technology and passing on advice to users. According to Michael Stephens, in 'Into a new world of librarianship' ........'this librarian will help users become their own programming director for all of the content available to them'. I think that is being rather optimistic.

Libraries in five or ten years from now will look substantially different from libraries of today. I agree with the State Library of Victoria's vision statement in that we need to be able to offer worldwide information resources to enrich the patron's cultural, educational, social and economic lives. However we still have to live in a 'real' world.

We do need to find new ways to bring our services to patrons rather than insisting that they come to us - whether physically or virtually on the web. However, I agree with Rick Anderson's article, 'Away from the 'icebergs''. Libraries of today are facing severe cutbacks and facing severe budget constraints. Yes, libraries are poorly equipped and insufficiently staffed for teaching. We need to remove the barrier that exists between a patron and the information they need. We can assist and educate patrons when we can however, on a daily basis, I do not believe we have the resources to teach patrons.

As Web 2.0 evolves, patrons will expect access to everything, such as digital collections of newspapers (especially relevant in regard to family history research), books, blogs, podcasts, etc. Librarians, in their new role of 'information technologist', can and should be able to assist users to access such services but we are highly under-resourced to teach such new technology at present.