Week 6, Ex. 15

Reading all of the articles about Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and Librarian 2.0 can make anyone working in libraries excited (or scared) about where libraries are heading. I'm actually pretty enthusiastic about all of these new ways that libraries will provide services, but I also know that even if many of our patrons are ready for it, there is still a large community that isn't. Something I feel that is just as important as Web 2.0 is the "digital divide."

I understand that librarians should be aware of new technologies and how these will be incorporated into our services. One point that none of these articles really make is that being comfortable with technology (in general) will also help our patrons who are still on Web 1.0. I liked Rick Anderson's article about the "icebergs" we face. His last one about reaching out to the community to provide services was something that could be incorporated with customers who are learning about podcasts to those who are getting their first email accounts.

Perhaps these articles are the appropriate type of forum for a discussion on the digital divide and how Web 2.0 can play a role in bridging that gap. I think that sites like MySpace are doing a great job of this (even if they don't realize it). Many of the teen customers in my branch don't have a computer or Internet access at home, but I'm positive well over the majority of them have a MySpace. So at one end they are part of this new interconnectivity the web is offering, but on the other end, they're learning how to use HTML, send messages, and even literacy.

Anyhoo, that's all for now... time to go home!