EPL # 15 – Library 2.0 and the future of libraries

I read the Wiki article on Library 2.0 and some of the OCLC articles. These things caught my attention:

OPAC 2.0: I like the idea of the library catalog being more interactive, such as user book reviews, persistent links, and social bookmarking. This should generate interest from users.

An idea from the OCLC Newsletter:

“This librarian [Michael Stephens] does not buy technology for the sake of technology. “Techno-worship” does not exist here. Without a firm foundation in the mission and goals of the institution, new technologies are not implemented for the sake of coolness and status.” I agree with this completely – you need to understand your audience. Many people of the older generation will not embrace these tools, but younger audiences do. Since the public library serves all age groups, we need to embrace and understand the tools to serve and communicate with them. But if a particular technology does not help or is not embraced by a particular demographic, we have to be sensitive to that.