Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Thing 2. What is Library 2.0?

So far I haven't been too impressed by the information shown by all these links to "sell" Library 2.0...of course, I start as a skeptic---Shocker boy can't be hyped too quickly (but can be bought off to keep his job or get some library credits by playing along with this 23 things project).
I ponder this obvious rush to technology...or should I say the "panic" by librarians to go along with the major cultural talking points out there...My first reaction to all this sincere selling job is how come so many in the library business have such low self-esteem about the old-fashion ways of the library--I can hear two different voices coming out of the same mouth by advocates: one talks about how great the library has been for so long for our culture, and is so loved and respected and effective, blah, blah; and at the same time, how we have to change it all, make sure we have the latest craze in electronic communications, be right "up-to-date" or we will be left out and ignored, and disbanded.

My thoughts are get some backbone, library people!!--here's a weird idea for all of you to "blog" about....how about the Library 2.0 of the future stays the same as the Library 1.0 of the past...in fact, I throw out a possible scenario: when all the patrons, or customers, or whatever you want to call them nowadays, get sick and tired of staying on the computer all day, and talking to virtual people and hearing virtual opinions about books from virtual communities, and can't take any of it anymore, maybe they will all rush over to the stodgy old library of books and real people, and shelves, if only to find a refuge from that dehumanizing electronic world....and then when this happens, the library becomes bigger than ever--as the only place to go to get away from the 2.0 World that everyone is forced into?? Might work for libraries...to be the anti 2.0 place to go....think about this unthinkable possibility....and write about it...you're 2.0 bloggers now aren't you???

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Thing 1. So this is the beginning of the new library

Finally I started up this blog for the first time, by wetting my finger, plugging in my computer, powering up the browser, and logging in to the right site, and as you can see from the expression on my face--this thing is actually working - what a shocking experience for Shocker boy! (Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have wetted my finger?)