Revolution 2.0

John Blyberg, on his blog at blyberg.net, discusses the “eleven reasons why Library 2.0 exists and matters.”  He states that the concept of Library 2.0 has been refuted/rejected/questioned by the likes of Stephen Cohen, Meredith Farkas, Jessamyn West, and Laura Crossett. Blyberg, along with Sarah Houghton sees library 2.0 as a “vital and very real movement… an ever-changing amalgam of ideas, dreams, and visions.”

Blyberg’s 11 reasons why Library 2.0 exists is as follows:

1. L2 is partially a response to a Post-Google world
2. L2 requires internal reorganization
3. L2 requires a fundamental change in a library’s mission
4. L2 requires a fundamental change in how we handle “authority”
5. L2 requires technological agility
6. L2 challenges library orthodoxy on almost every level
7. L2 requires a radical change in the way ILSs and vendors work
8. L2 both enables and requires libraries to work together
9. L2 is actually happening
10. L2 is revolutionary
11. L2 is essential for survival/pertinence

I agree with Blyberg in his ideals concerning Library 2.0.  I regret to label those against library 2.0 with stereotypes, but the truth is as Blyberg states, “Library 2.0 is here and actually happing and it is essential for the survival of the library.”  The issue here is having an open mind and realizing that the days of the Gutenberg librarian is quickly coming to a close and we as librarians must be on board with the revolution, so to speak, or not only do we risk losing or status in society, as Blyberg as states, but we risk losing the library entirely.  That would be a tragedy that I don’t think the world could fully fathom until it’s after too late.