Revolution 2.0

I am a GSLIS student pursuing a career in Reference and Tech Services, preferably in an Academic library, however, due to my inability to leave Chicago anytime soon, I will not be afforded the luxury of being too particular.

So why am I in a Library 2.0 class?  I decide to enroll for a few reasons:

First, I have heard nothing but great things about Professor Michael Stephens, but furthermore, I had the pleasure of attending one of Michael’s Library 2.0 presentations last spring at an SLA Student Outreach dinner.

Secondly, and more importantly, I understand that the library, it’s culture and even its existence, is somewhat being challenged by a multitude of issues.  And some librarians of the old Gutenberg world fear the very technologies in which this class is examining.  Can sites like Google, Ask.com, Microsoft’s Bing, kill reference librarianship?  Only if we let it.  Can the web 2.0 tools be of any use to libraries?  Only if we give them a chance.

I see myself as a tech person.  I love playing with the newest gadgets, tools, etc.  I understand how to use these tools, where I believe this class stands to benefit me is learning how to use these tools in a library setting and how to sell them to management and the users.  But I also what to better learn how to explore these tools based on our users needs.  This class will also be very beneficial for my practicum at Elmhurst University.

I am entering the library profession with basically no experience, other than my own personal use of the library, particularly during high school and as an undergrad.  But I firmly believe in being completely and utterly open minded towards any new tool or concept for the library and just as importantly, I am okay with ideas failing once in a while.