Thing #15: Library 2.0

Library 2.0 is alive and well. It continually is growing and evolving to keep up with today’s societal needs. Library 2.0 is the new mindset that librarians need to incorporate. The newest librarians have probably grown up in the Web 2.0 world, so it is second nature to them. Library 2.0 is the provision of services based on the changing trends. For example, libraries responded to people being unable to visit during regular hours by providing e-books and downloadable audiobooks. Libraries also are trying virtual reference for people able to contact them via chat services or email. Often people can’t stop in or phone during open hours, so they can contact the library 24 hours a day in some areas. Library 2.0 is the willingness to incorporate new technologies into traditional services, like using ‘user ratings’ on the catalogs, or LibraryThing tagging/folksonomy for users to share what their keywords would be.