All Things Found

The blog Infomancy describes one aspect of Library 2.0 as “harnessing patron intelligence.”  I noticed this theme running through a number of the L2 articles that defined and supported the label at its inception.  This definition serves as an excellent talking point, for it encompasses so much of the concept and gives concrete verbiage to buzz-terms as “social networking” and “user collaboration.“  Publishing–whether audio, visual, or the written word–has moved from a context in which information was disseminated from a focal source to numerous consumers.  The advent of the Internet and Web 2.0 movement has changed this single communication channel to a multi-faceted network, in which users not only read, but also respond to, interact with, and manipulate information.
Need we be reminded that libraries (broadly defined) are keepers and disseminators of information—and if information changes, we too must change.  Blyberg, as one of his 11 reasons why Library 2.0 exists and matters states  “L2 requires a fundamental change in a library’s mission.”  I would argue that a library’s mission (again, generally stated) is to provide access and serve users—it might not require complete change, but perhaps a reinterpretation.  The library’s job has always been to be of assistance to patrons, but as patrons change, we too must continue to serve them.
Admittedly, I sometimes find myself a bit skeptical—is this all just fluffy rhetoric?  Are users really going to care?  What exactly can we, especially as nearly graduated MLIS students, do?
The next few weeks will provide concrete substance to the above paragraphs and arm me with more than just ideas and a smile when I enter the workplace.  As G.I. Joe tells us, “knowing is half the battle”—but the other half is practicing what you believe in.