Thing 2 Post

What is Library 2.0?

2.0 is such a buzzword. I even heard myself not so long ago describing 2.0 tools (like blogging) as "so yesterday." It almost feels like by now we should have evolved to 2.2 or 2.3 or even 3.0.

The concept of Web 2.0 has been attributed to Tim O'Reilley during a conference planning session. A 2005 article on the O'Reilley website gives these key differences (among others in the article) between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0, which are relevant to Library 2.0 as compared to Library 1.0.

Web 1.0 --- Britannica Online
Web 2.0 --- Wikipedia

Web 1.0 --- Publishing
Web 2.0 --- Participation

Web 1.0 --- Content management systems
Web 2.0 --- Wikis

Web 1.0 --- Directories (taxonomy)
Web 2.0 --- Tagging (folksonomy)

It strikes me that while this was written in 2005, we're still debating the validity of the Web 2.0 revolution, which is over and has now become mainstream. While the expectation of many is to carry out functions of daily life like buying movie tickets or ordering pizza in the interactive environment of Web 2.0, many of us are having endless debates about enabling online library card applications or computer reservations. I see a real disconnect between Web 2.0 and Library 2.0.

2.0 has come to mean next generation. I was amused last year by Nissan's Shift 2.0 ad campaign to introduce its 2007 line of next generation-cars. Religious organizations are struggling with church 2.0. The important concept that makes something 2.0 is that it must be interactive and enabling an enhanced user experience.

Almost a year ago, I wrote a post Why Be Library 2.0? The three reasons I gave are still valid: Using 2.0 technologies stretches budget and outreach; Developing 2.0 tools produces training opportunities and models; Be in the know (the town smart person).