Basic Concept 2: Library 2.0

Needless to say, Library 2.0 is an extension of Web 2.0. To adapt Web 2.0 into the library world, library professionals use this term to describe a new-fangled set of concepts for developing and delivering library services.

I find Dr. Wendy Schultz's descriptions of library evolution fascinating. In her To a temporary place in time ... she has outlined 4 versions of library. Namely, 1) Library 1.0: Commodity. Books were commodities, traced back from the first library in Alexandra to the industrial era; 2) Library 2.0: Product. Library collections, books or media/digital files, are products. They are everywhere, barrier-free and participatory; 3) Library 3.0: Library 3.0--Web 3D to Library 3D: Services like SecondLife for users to subscribe, where library customers use virtual collections, but with personal introductions; 4) Library 4.0 Library as aesthetic experience. Libraries will be at once spacious and mobile, both virtual and augmented 3D reality, with a brand-new model added: knowledge spa. In a word, it is a utopia of library that librarians have dreamed for numerous generations.

After a brief examination of the above concepts and models, I had one realization gradually dawned on me. No matter how different time and technology is, the library exists to serve users at a particular moment in history, with a particular type of service. Since we are now in the era of Library 2.0, we need to meet our customers' basic expectation to have access to every product. Again how much have we accomplished? The program of 23things is a good start. To help our users with their needs and problems, we need to learn and be trained ourselves first.

Basic Concept 1: Web 2.0

I have heard quite a lot a bout Web 2.0. To be honest, I was very fuzzy about its basic concept until recently. To go down to the basics, I went to Tim O'Reilly's site and obtained a list of side-by-side comparisons between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. As it was published on 9/30/2005, some products and services might be long gone, or augmented or even replaced by newer crops.

Web 2.0 found itself popular overnight following the first O'Reilly Media Web 2.0 conference in 2004. According to Tim O'Reilly, "Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform." Wikipedia puts it more simply, "Web 2.0 refers to a perceived second generation of web-based communities, and hosted services — such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies — which aim to facilitate collaboration and sharing between users."

In my humble opinion, Web 1.0 opened up to the whole world the potentials of Internet, whereas Web 2.0 spread the democracy of Internet to the four corners of the world. Everyone can not only observe, but more importantly s/he can all play, write, create and share/publish in their own loosely- or closely-knit communities in the form of blogs, myspace and facebook. So the revolution is not limited to business, but to all walks of life, as long as one is willing to plunge in.

So what kind of impact does Web 2.0 exert on libraries and library collections? Rick Anderson has summerized most eloquently, we need to prepare 1) the 'just in case; collection, for our patrons will expect access to everything, print, nonprint and digital; 2) Reliance on user education, so our patrons can spend less frustrating time on learning new technological gadgets, but more on actual reading and learning. Such one-button command as 'Blog this' seems to be a promising model; and 3) transforming the 'come to us' model of library service into a new model placing library service and content in our patrons' preferred environment Web, or into their patterns of work, study and play. How much have we done?

Cover Art in Online Image Generator & Librarything

I really have had fun with the easy manipulation of cover art in the exercises for Online Image Generator & Librarything.

http://plcmclearning.blogspot.com/2006/09/10-play-around-with-image-generators.html is a very useful site in deciding and designing your own book covers. I especially love the option for CHANGE THE COVER!, which allows you to view and change your design accordingly in real time. Please look at my newly designed cover.

I am equally fascinated with Librarything's menu for ADD BOOKS. I duly added to its list Davenport Cement Centennial, a book by Alverda Orlando. There are two ways to add a book: manually and import. The title entry is instantly available for retrieval; however, there is a time lag for indexing the author list. I am not so sure of the exact time frame. It seems that overnight is to be expected.

The cataloging template is a simplified version of MARC (MAchine-Readable Cataloging). But its TAGS, COMMENTS and RATING are user-interactive. The same is true of REVIEW or REVIEW URL and RATING. This is something for catalogers to reconsider for their future templates and fields.

Librarything will provide a default cover for you if you do not have anything ready at the moment. You can always edit and add the cover later. It is gratifying to see the real cover on the screen, and the process is so easy and friendly. Please check out my sample at: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/hui-lan

RSS in Google's Blog & Bloglines: Camry & Cadillac

Thanks to Jessica Goodman's generous and tireless help, I have managed to add a number of RSS feeds in both Google's Blog and Bloglines. I have to admit that I like both accounts. The only difference they have is like the difference between Camry and Cadillac. While both luxurious in their interiors, the former is very economic with gas mileage, whereas the latter, drinks a little more gas.

I found RSS in Google's blog more graphic-orientated, built with blocks, i.e., page elements. The end-display can be at once concise, and informative if you configure all three options (items, item dates and item sources/authors). You can move those RSS feeds any place you desire on the screen, just like a nimble Camry.

Bloglines' RSS, on the other hand, is more roomy, with a big screen dedicated to it. It is also easier to ADD, DELETE and many other options, just as Cadillacs pamper their drivers with abundant luxuries.

With so many options available, I very much like to consolidate my blogs and RSS feeds in one place, instead of writing and reading in many places, such as Google's Blog, Bloglines, my home and officer Firefox Toolbar Folders. A blog link seems to be one solution; but a window reflecting each other's content and updates would be more ideal.

On Free Flickr Account

I have been experimenting with Flickr for a couple of weeks now. While fascinated with its flexible and friendly display features, I have noticed a few limitations in this application, especially when you have a free account: 1) You are limited to only 3 sets per account; 2) Your photos are all set to PUBLIC by default, unless you change the setting; 3) Your photos are accepted in .jpg format only; and 4) You have to know where you are when modifying and changing your sets. Online HELP is very limited, which includes its Upload interface.

I am very curious about other users' feedback. Constructive suggestions and advice are welcome.