“Library 2.0 simply means making your library’s space (virtual and physical) more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs. Examples of where to start include blogs, gaming nights for teens, and collaborative photo sites. The basic drive is to get people back into the library by making the library relevant to what they want and need in their daily lives…to make the library a destination and not an afterthought."
Sarah Houghton http://librarianinblack.typepad.com/librarianinblack/
I like what she is saying in the quote above. It is what we all want -- to make the "library relevant" to are users. And this means not just the people who come through are doors but also the virtual customers where ever they may be. We can expand our customer base.
Omaha Public Library enriches our community by providing unlimited opportunities for information, education, inspiration and imagination.
The mission statement of OPL already gives us the opportunity to use Library 2.o, it does not limit us to what we are doing, but only allows us to expand into our community and world. We can provide unlimited opportunities. Library 2.0 would allow us to increase new materials, information and and give our customers a role in deciding what would best meet their wants and needs. And not waste funds on materials, programs and other services just because "we always have".
Library 2.0 would mean constant changes and change is hard, but is good. It can make you feel uncomfortable, out of place and not on level ground. But if we do not face the changes we will be left behind. By being a library community, reaching out to other libraries, using the resources that they have, and sharing, all libraries will benefit.
We all know that the traditional library is not what our future tax payers (the younger generation) want. Gaming, computers, new and ever-changing materials. But with this we can not leave behind the people we serve now. It is a balancing act; are we up for the challenge?
No comments:
Post a Comment