Thing #15: Libraries 2.0.
Exciting, collaborative, variety, free, challenging in a FUN way.
It's here and now and it ain't going away. And that's good. My wish is that we--the public funded library as an apparatus of county government--could be more instantly responsive in utilizing 2.0 tools, allowing us to capitalize on the opportunities offered by a Libraries 2.0 approach. And I prefer the plural because we are in a sense--all in this one together.
Michael Stephens wrote: "Does it create a useful service for putting users together with the information and experience they seek?" And he goes on to state that libraries need to be quickly responsive and move at the time an opportunity arises, rather than take a traditionalist approach with lengthy project time lines. I could not agree more.
I've accumulated 20 years of experience in libraries, which qualifies me for nothing more than keeping an open mind, learning to adapt, and trying to inspire staff. Technology will change us but it will not push a savvy person out of the picture. At times, I could feel like the blacksmith who watches a new Model T pass his shop, but really libraries are not that one-dimensional. I think we have already let go of notion that all meaningful library-related activity only takes place in the building. Having customers in the building today is icing on a cake and an opportunity, not an end product. Information services takes place very efficiently via e-mail and chat sessions,and that doesn't factor in 2.0 tools. Having the opportunity to work one on one with customers in the building is a time to forputting the best face on having a conversation about what they needed, what they found, and adding a "Did you know about this service?" That last step empowers them to accomplish something library related without having to travel to the building. Talk about encouraging people to "Go green," as in saving fuel! Working in and supporting a Libraries 2.0 framework does not automatically imply creating an impersonal environment.
It is encouraging to read things such as this in the Library 2.0 essays:
Quality customer service is another key to success for our library. Our goal is to make the total customer experience satisfying, pleasurable and resulting in an end-product that meets or exceeds their expectations. Students should always feel welcome.
As a manager, I need not pretend to have all the technological answers--I couldn't do that anyway and besides there is no need. I have the collective knowledge of my staff, who are never short of ideas, and who have in some cases already been using 2.o tools to enhance library experiences for targeted customers. Now I want to turn them loose...
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