From Foolscap Sheets to Facebook and Tweets!

A New Era

It is no longer a secret that cyber space is the new "in place". With a constantly growing population, the internet is just one of the latest sensations taking the world by storm. With constant improvements, the internet keeps getting bigger, faster and stronger! With so much to offer, it isn't hard to see why so many are captivated by her charm!

So what does this mean for libraries?

Let the Battle Begin!

Out with the old and in with the new!

As is the case with everything else, a time for change has arisen. No matter how hard we try and deny the fact, digital is taking over..and it's no surprise! Like surfers chasing that next great wave that is bigger and better, users are swept up in the ever-changing currents that continue to sweep the internet. 

Library 2.0

This term has been used to describe the new model of library services that promote the desired change for users to play a more pro-active role by participating in the creation of physical and virtual services that would appeal to them. Similar to a previous discussion on Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0. As a result of this new found approach, there is a constant monitoring and evaluation of services with the aim of providing more than just an information service, but rather a customer-oriented service that focuses on their needs and wants, to generate more growth (Casey and Savastinuk, 2007).

What largely contributes to the popularity of this platform is the use of Web 2.0 tools, that are easy to use and are already mostly familiar to users, such as Facebook, Twitter, Wikis, Pinterest, and social book marking such as Diigo, to name but a few. RSS feeds are also quite useful when wanting to keep up-to-date with the latest news, trends, and developments of a particular topic. 

Key Library 2.0 Concepts

The library is everywhere and has no barriers, thus inviting active user participation, with a flexible system designed speciffically with the user in mind (Mohamed, 2017). Having so much freedom of access, it's like having the whole world at your fingertips!

References:

Casey, M.E. and Savastinuk, L.C. (2007). Library 2.0: a guide to participatory library service. Medford, N.J., Information Today.

Mohamed, S. (2017).Library 2.0. LBS 708:lecture notes. UWC.

The bigger the internet, the smaller the world...

Out With the old...Lib 2.0