Defining Librarian 2.0

One of my reasons for doing this course is to develop the skills to become a web 2.0 using librarian, Librarian 2.0. I have experimented with Web 2.0 technologies privately and I want to branch out and use them professionally. So what are the essential knowledge, skills and attributes that define Librarian 2.0.

Firstly, I believe that the role of librarian hasn't change but tools that are available and the information environment has, so Librarian 2.0 it is about adopting these tools and adapting to the new environment. Librarians are about connecting people to the information they need and to have services that focuses on the needs of users, even anticipating what these needs will be. Librarian 2.0 continues in this tradition.

Librarian 2.0 understands the theory and power of Web 2.0, they are tech savvy and on top of trends in the technological and Web 2.0 worlds. They experiment, immerse themselves in, and and have fun with Web 2.0 technologies so that they can find the right tool for the job which results in better services for patrons (Harvey, 2009, p.7). They connect with patrons in ways that patrons prefer such as texting, IM, Skype, email, or virtual reference (Abrams, 2007, para.12) and actively look for ways to engage and converse with them. Librarians have needed to be team workers but with Web 2.0 teams got bigger and it is possible to collaborate with patrons as well as staff. Librarian 2.0 is creative and good at community building, they use Web 2.0 technologies to create content, then to allow and encourage collaboration on this content.
Librarian 2.0 has the ability to embrace and adapt to change. Technologies change, platforms change. Librarian 2.0 invest lots of time into Web 2.0 technologies and may find that these are superseded by a different technology. They cannot become too attached to platforms.
Librarian 2.0 is enthusiastic about Web 2.0 and encourages and educates their library to be more participatory in Web 2.0 such as using social tagging, social networking and social media technologies.

Within this definition you will see that Librarian 2.0 embraces the underlying principles of Web 2.0 known as the 4 Cs: Collaboration, Conversation, Community and Content creation (Hay, Wallis, O'Connell & Crease, 2012).

I feel have some of these characteristics and I am developing the skills to be this type of librarian

References
Abram, S. (2007) Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and Librarian 2.0: Preparing for the 2.0 World. Online International Conference Proceedings. Retrieved from
http://ucv.academia.edu/RodriguezJorge/Papers/1064417/Web_2.0_Library_2.0_and_Librarian_2.0_Preparing_for_the_2.0_World

Harvey, M. (2009). What does it mean to be a Science Librarian 2.0? Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, 58. DOI:10.5062/F4M906KW. Retrieved from http://www.istl.org/09-summer/article2.html

Hay, L., Wallis J., O'Connell, J. & Crease, R. (2012). What is Library 2.0 [INF506 Module 3:Library 2.0 and participatory library services] Retrieved September 14, 2012 from Charles Sturt website: http://interact.csu.edu.au/portal/site/INF506_201260_W_D/page/09214ee0-f698-4c0c-8031-84f37037aa7a

Evaluation of ASU Libaries and the 4Cs

Library 2.0 is not just about libraries using Web 2.0 technologies by about libraries embracing the underlying principles of Web 2.0 which are known as the 4c's Collaboration, Conversation, Community and Content creation (Hay, Wallis, O'Connell & Crease, 2012) Arizona State University (ASU) Libraries is a library that is incorporating Web 2.0 tools as part of its ASU Library Channel. These include a YouTube collection of The library minute videos, a blog with RSS, and Twitter. However are these tools sufficient to achieve the 4Cs.

Collaboration
That ASU uses these technologies passively gives users a opportunity to collaborate with the library, however I don't see much evidence of the library actively inviting collaboration.

Conversation
Using these technologies has allowed ASU to have conversations with patrons especially through Twitter. Twitter is the place where students ask questions, alert the library to issues, and give feedback. Some conversations are also happening in comments from the YouTube videos. The library blog contains great information about events, collections and services however the library has “comments off” on all its posts which is a barrier to dialoging with patrons.

Community
The library has created its own community inside of ASU in using there Web 2.0 technologies. The YouTube videos are fun and laid back while still imparting important information and give a sense that the library is a welcoming place to be. The library also has almost 2,000 followers as part of their Twitter community.

Content creation
These Web 2.0 technologies have allowed the library to create content in different media that promote the library. Users also have the opportunity to create content in the ratings and comments they give the YouTube videos, and in the feedback via Twitter.

Library 2.0 gives patrons an opportunity to participate in library services and seeks to harness patron knowledge to provide better services (Casey & Savastinuk, 2006, para.10-11). I think that ASU have some great tools to do this but need to be more active in initiating conversations and in inviting collaboration in content creation. In this way they will strengthen their community have user centred services and really embrace Library 2.0.

References:
Casey, M.E. & Savastinuk, L.C. (2006). Library 2.0: Service for the next-generation library. Library Journal, 1 September. Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html

Hay, L., Wallis J., O'Connell, J. & Crease, R. (2012). What is Library 2.0 [INF506 Module 3:Library 2.0 and participatory library services] Retrieved September 14, 2012 from Charles Sturt website: http://interact.csu.edu.au/portal/site/INF506_201260_W_D/page/09214ee0-f698-4c0c-8031-84f37037aa7a

A-Z of Social Networking for Libraries: Embracing a Library 2.0 Ethos

I have selected 5 letters from the A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries and considered how they could be applied to the library to help it to embrace a Library 2.0 ethos.

D-Direction
The library I work at currently uses no Web 2.0 technology. Although I would love to jump in use them all for the sheer joy of splashing into social networks, unless I have a clear idea of what I want to accomplish then it is meaningless. What I have to do is assess what needs the library has, what patrons have and how Web 2.0 technologies can fill those needs. This will effect the direction I will go with social networking.

F-Facebook
I think that a Facebook page is what most libraries start off with when they enter into the social networking environment. It is flexible as if offers lost of ways to create content with text, photos and videos. Because so many people now use Facebook it may be easier to get a following than other social media. Facebook features allow for promotion of the library, especially its events app. Facebook also has lots of opportunities for dialogue with patron though post and comments.

G-Good Reads
Promoting Good Reads on the library website might be a way to start promoting Web 2.0 technologies to our patrons was well as adding a great readers' advisory tool. It would be important to get staff enthusiastic about promoting it too so that .

H-Help
Staff have mixed feelings about social networking and some staff have had little experience, and see it more as a personal tool rather than professional. There needs to be more exposure to how effective social networking can be for a library, otherwise help will not be forth coming. I'd like to see a team assembled, one at each branch, to direct social networking and to make it a legitimate service.

R-Reference
One of the ways staff could see the professional usefulness of Web 2.0 is to see how it can be used effectively in reference services. Patrons could ask questions via facebook or the library could have an app containing FAQs. Twitter also lends itself to ready reference questions. If staff could see how easily these reference supports could be implemented it would help them to embrace Web 2.0.