Library 2.0 and counting

I read several of the perspectives, and must admit that the more I read the more dismayed I became. Away From Icebergs I discounted a bit due to the academic point of view -- we saw the same thing when I was last in a college position in the mid-1990s, but circulation at the public libraries I've been with since 1998 have continued to rise. That is in large part due to being responsive to patron "wants," not just "needs," which leads me to Librarian 2.0.

Libraries have been adapting for years, but with the advent of technology things are coming at us with lightning speed. I found the Librarian 2.0 perspective to be rather intimidating -- with all the good intentions in the world I just don't see myself being effective in the many "new" roles librarians need to play. My retirement being just around the corner may be a good things for my patrons!

I finished up with Temporary place in time -- I kind of like the idea of a 3D librarian in a cozy country manor. Maybe that will be my next job.

Presentations go social

Well, this is certainly a helpful tool. I don't really think I'll be adding a lot of my own presentations, probably the "aw shucks" side of my nature doesn't think I really have anything to add. I do plan to use it more to glean ideas from others, and I'm really pleased that so many of the NLC presentations are available here. Easy to use!

On the flip side, I see the source of lots of junk email I get from time to time -- some of it funny and some of it not so.....

Delicious

Okay -- this is just great. Easy to use, easy to maintain. A great alternative to those boring lists of web links that our patrons never seem to use (and my staff even forgets about). This "thing" definitely will be of use to me personally and professionally.

All a'twitter???

Did you like micro-blogging? -- I'm not even sure I like blogging yet. I definitely haven't gotten into the swing of things yet -- still using computers as work tools rather than a means of connecting. As I'm writing this blog, our 65 pound puppy Tess is sound asleep next to me, busy chasing the devil cat from next door in her sleep. That just seems like a twitter entry, doesn't it. But in the normal run of things, I wouldn't be at a computer when that happens.

But I do think it has possibilities in the library. In fact, whatever the "newest, coolest" thing is has a place in trying to communicate with our younger patrons. You know, it used to be that we had to purchase all kinds of materials to appeal to our differing public, but at least we could tell them about it basically the same way. Not any longer, so we need to take steps to keep ourselves a vibrant option for our patrons.