Saturday, October 16, 2010

Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries

I'm going to just say that I hate the term 2.0. In fact, I hate the concepts of Web 2.0. I still don't understand how that social interaction technologies is what survived from the Dot.com bust. And no, I really don't think that libraries should adopt the concepts of this movement. 

The article was just about how libraries are integrating Web 2.0 into libraries. The author lists a bunch of technologies, and demonstrates how they can be incorporated in libraries. This includes new media formats like streaming. Then he calls this the Library 2.0 movement. 

I find this absurd. I think that libraries should focus on remaining useful than social. Although, admittedly, that greater interaction with patrons would be helpful,  I think most of this is overblown. Further, I think that given Web 2.0 also presents huge privacy concerns. Essentially Web 2.0 was a means to make users the product for advertisers. And now that more libraries are being privatized, I think so of these concepts creates too many privacy conflicts. 

So my question is what are any other downsides for libraries becoming more social?

*Maness, J. (2006). "Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries". Webology, 3 (2), Article 25. 

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