Perpsectives on Web 2.0 and the Future of Libraries

The two definitions of Web 2.0 that made the most sense to me are:

1. Web 2.0: "a social phenomenon embracing an approach to generating and distributing Web content itself, characterized by open communication, decentralization of authority, freedom to share and re-use, and "the market as a conversation"

This is the point that Stephen Abram makes frequently, too: "Life is social, learning is social, community and neighborhoods are social, research is social, and libraries and schools have to be social, too."

I see this collaborative spirit everywhere--in family life, in spiritual life, in art. Even the global economy is bringing some of us kicking and screaming into this way living in the world. But I also agree with Walt Crawford when he says that Library 2.0 is evolutionary not revolutionary. I do not share Mr. Crawford's pessimism but he is right that 2.0 really means new tools to increase the ways we can share information.

These new tools support our oldest core values. Michael C. Habib points out in his article, "On Democracy, Trust and Libraries" (2006) (http://mchabib.com)

"We always trusted that the majority of our writers strive to distinguish that which is good and true. Library 2.0 now requires us to maintain this trust in the majority. We must continue to trust that most readers are curious, intelligent and compassionate. The only difference is that the evidence of this will now be created and stored on our servers...In the meeting room or on our blogs, ...hate speech is in your face. However, I guarantee that if any such bigotry is posted to a political discussion hosted on our blogs, it will quickly be drowned out by the voices of more responsible patrons...This is what democracy is all about. This is what libraries have always been about. Web 2.o has just changed the dynamic of how intellectual inquiry and democracy operate. In this way Library 2.0 speaks to some of the best of traditional library values, and , in so doing, defends the library as a cornerstone of democracy in a networked world."

2. Web 2.0: "enhanced organization and categorization of content, emphasizing deep linking"
This, of course, is one of the most powerful new tools---and like it or not, it developed from the catalogers and classifiers of Library's ancient times. And I can't deny it---I find tag clouds fascinating and informative and the idea that access can be gained in countless different ways exactly right.