Library 2.0 is about taking up the fundamental principles of Web 2.0 and structure the way we think about how the library serves the needs of our patrons within that frame work. This constitutes a radical change in how we go about building relationships with our patrons and deliver library services.
We need to embrace especially user partcipation. Up to now we have mostly created and structured content for the patron. With lib 2.0 the patron contributes to content and is allowed to have their say in a much more direct manner. There is a smathering of that already happening, e.g. ratings on the OPAC which is similar to the popular 'voting' on a lot of websites where patrons let everyone know what they liked/disliked. I have seen this happening at other library websites in different ways:
- Users creating book lists which is available on OPAC.
- Wiki created so that library parons could lists their favourite places in their community.
- Blogs created for patrons to submit their book reviews.
- Blogs created with old photographs so that users could tell about the local history around those photographs.
- Photos put on Flickr so that users can tell what they know about those photographs.
- Patrons tagging catalogue records.
This means we will have to let go of the tight control we keep over some of the content we present to our patrons - a step that will take a lot of courage as we will have to embrace a lot of different viewpoints and also imperfection. A prime example of such a lib 2.0 website is Amazon. Although it is not a library web site we can learn a lot from how it allows users to create content, give their opinions and have in conversations on the website!
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