Smaller Libraries and Library 2.0

Now that I’ve finished my assignment, I have some time to breath before classes start again next week, which means I’m catching up on what I consider to be required reading. The article everyone seems to be blogging about, Library 2.0 by Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk was first on the list.

It’s a great overview of “Library 2.0″ concepts and though I have a few opinions about some of their points, I want to focus this post on smaller libraries (will get to the other points in a future post).

What makes a service Library 2.0? Any service, physical or virtual, that successfully reaches users, is evaluated frequently, and makes use of customer input is a Library 2.0 service. Even older, traditional services can be Library 2.0 if criteria are met.

A lot of libraries have always aimed to be “Library 2.0″. What’s new now is the abundance of technologies that help libraries further this aim. I work with a lot of small public libraries and though they may wish to keep up with these technologies, they very often don’t have the funding or resources to do so. They’re also usually far from highly populated centres that tend to attract techno-savvy librarians.

One way smaller libraries (and larger) can subscribe to the Library 2.0 bandwagon is to solicit help from the surrounding community: Plan a Technology Summit at Your Library.

Invite community members and local organizations (municipal staff, businesses, educational institutes…) to attend a meeting at your library where everyone brainstorms on technology ideas for the library.

You may be surprised by the number of people in your community who have a love for and great experience with “Web 2.0″ technologies. Some of these people are more than happy to volunteer their time offering advice and even implementing a few things for you.

The Squamish Public Library hosted such a meeting this earlier this year, and everyone came out of the meeting blown away by the ideas expressed. Those who attended the meeting were also impressed by the library’s desire to hear their ideas.

Certainly, implemention of ideas and the possible use of volunteers will require good planning and management on your part. However, not only does a forum advertise your library and provide an additional avenue for user input, but you’ll gain a better idea of what’s out there, what people want, and maybe some help in implementing a few things that will be of enormous value to your patrons.