Week 6, Thing 15: Read a few perspectives on Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the future of libraries and blog your thoughts.

I read several of the perspectives about Library 2.0 from the given list. I shall comment on "into a new world of librarianship". While I agree with and understand much of what Michael Stephens, Librarian and Blogger puts out there, I think he asks too much. He wants each library personnel to be part administrator, materials collector, manager, supervisor, out reach coordinator,web expert (nay, even web designer or web master), and oh yeah, reference librarian all at the same time. Think you can handle that? To each his or her strengths I say! I think that is why FCPL is successful; individuals are allowed to take on as much of the right kind of job they are good at. It is a cornerstone of the reference work we do. We have multiple subject area experts in many fields, go find out which of your co-workers is knowledgeable in what area. It is not reasonable to expect one person (a Librarian 2.0) to do it all. I will not name any individuals but we have folks who do much of what Mr. Stephens asks, just not all wrapped up in one person. To do so would create an Uber Librarain, and the rest of us would be looking for new jobs! ~grin~ So while his concept is sensible, it must be combined with individual talents and subject area mastery...I don't know of any one person who can do all he asks, maybe there's one in MLS school now? But each of us that continues in this profession will have to absorb new ways of doing business, to meet the ever changing needs of our patrons. Upon that much we agree.