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library 2.0


Is this librarian part of the Library 2.0 environment?

I certainly don't see why not. According to Casey and Savastinuk, "even older, traditional services can be Library 2.0 if criteria are met" in their "Library 2.0" article from Library Journal in the September 1, 2006 issue.

What is Library 2.0? "User centered-change" (2006). So that can include any services that help "create a customer-driven...enviornment" (2006). So, aside from a webpage, adding blogs, wikis, and even a myspace page could help get customers more involved in their community library would qualify. However, one challenge libraries are facing right now deals with censorship from the U.S. Government, and that challenge is legislation such as CIPA and DOPA.

These bills, particularly DOPA, which is still awaiting approval to become law, would restrict libraries and schools that receive e-rate funding, to block any websites that allow chats, blogs, wikis, etc., targeted at facebook and myspace because some child was "preyed on" by an older adult, pretending to be someone younger.

So if the government is regulating what media the library is allowed to offer, that makes the job of librarians even more difficult. In Chat rooms could face expulsion by Declan McCullagh, Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, the creator of DOPA, is quoted as saying that MySpace and other similar sites "have become a haven for online sexual predators who have made these corners of the Web their own virtual hunting ground" (2006). Critics all agree that the language of the bill is too broad, and will "create big obstacles to accessing sites that pose no risk to children" (Jim Halpert, ICC counsel).

A big problem for libraries and the 2.0 situation and children/teens is that most of these young people use myspace. This comes from my observation, anyway. Almost every person between the age of 11-18 that enters my library goes on the internet to play games and use myspace. I have not once seen them use the library's website or send an email to the reference desk if they have a question. My library does not utilize instant messaging, blogs or wikis as part of our virtual reference services. So if myspace is what the kids know and use, we should go where they are, right? Or at least create an online enviornment that utilizes some of the same capabilities, such as blog, image/idea posting, wikis, etc. You know, more library 2.0...

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