Week 6 Thing 15 - Perspectives on Web 2.0

1. Read two or three of the perspectives on Library 2.0 from the list below. Create a blog post about your thoughts on any one of these.
I read all of the articles associated with the OCLC Nextspace newsletter. Although some of them were more applicable to the school library environment, none of them spoke specifically about the unique situations faced by Library Media Teachers. In his article “Away from the icebergs,” Rick Anderson cautions librarians from spending limited resources on teaching patrons how to use technology. Instead, librarians should focus on just providing them access to resources that don’t require training. This advice is not applicable to the school library environment. By the very nature of the job, school librarians are teachers. Often they are in the position of not only teaching students how to use the latest technology, but also keeping staff and faculty updated on the latest trends. Patrons of public and academic libraries who go to those libraries to access these tools must learn to use them someplace. Many are self-taught and those without home computers develop these skills in school. The school library environment is where this learning and exposure to technology begins.
The advice Michael Stephens gives in his article “Into a new world of librarianship,” is the one that I found to be most applicable to the school library environment. He gives very practical advice on how to view evolving technology in the library environment. I agree with all six of his traits of a 2.0 librarian. He states that a 2.0 librarian “…does not buy technology for the sake of technology. “ There should be a purpose behind the technology that is introduced to the library environment. The purpose is derived from the needs of the patrons.

2. Library 2.0 - It's many things to many people. What does it mean to you? What does it mean for school libraries?
Library 2.0 means that the library of today is a balance between print and electronic resources. The library collection is enhanced rather than overwhelmed by the wealth of available digital resources. Digital resources in general and those specifically characterized as Web 2.0 are selected for use in the library with the user in mind. When selecting these resources the school librarian keeps these questions in mind: How will the selected resources enhance the learning experience of the student? Is it really a useful educational tool or does is it just “cool”? Sometimes the “cool” factor cannot be overlooked, especially if it gets an otherwise disenfranchised young person involved in his or her learning.
School libraries are a place where the services provided to the patron include instruction on how to use resources. In the school library, youth learn how to search for and evaluate resources used in their life as a student. These skills provide them with the foundation they need to become discerning adult consumers of information and successful members of society outside of k-12 whether as a college student or part of the workforce.
A school librarian should be aware of emerging technologies, their popularity, and how they are being used by Tweens and Teens even if these resources are not directly available in the school library. Tweens and Teens are becoming more and more adapt in the use of technology. So, even if a school library is not in the position to incorporate all aspects of Web 2.0, the school librarian should still know about and be familiar with these tools. With this experience, the school librarian is better able to understand the role that technology takes in the lives of the students outside of school. The relevance of information literacy lessons held in the library is increased by this knowledge.