Until recently I had no idea what Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 are, and furthermore little interest. Mainly because these trendy terms kept popping in everything I read and I have a strong aversion to trendiness. I even read one blog that stated that one can increase traffic to one’s blog by including the terms Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 (we’ll see if this post can oust the current champ, my review of The Painted Veil). Once I got past the hype and the trendiness I’ve discovered there are some very interesting things behind these terms. In fact I’m already well involved in the phenomenon through this blog and other resources I use everyday. So while still trying to avoid the trendiness, I’m going to explore Web 2.0 and Library 2.0.
Last week I attended a web conference on work about Web 2.0. While the presentation wasn’t too great and the lecturer used the word “cool” far too much, I did learn some fascinating stuff and added a lot of new bookmarks (including signing up for and account with the Web 2.0 bookmark tagging tool del.icio.us). I’ve also been accumulating various articles and blog posts on the subject. So here is my list of what I’ve found thus far to be read and evaluated.
Web 2.0
- Introduction to Web 2.0 — Squidoo catalog of Web 2.0 information and resources.
- What’s Next in Web 2.0 — j’s scratchpad review of an article in Technology Review. We must be on the same wavelength because she writes “I still think Web x.0 is a silly name.”
- Go2Web2.0.net — The Complete Web 2.0 Directory (complete? maybe. Slow-loading? Definitely!).
Library 2.0
- Library 2.0 — another compilation from Squidoo.
- Library Crunch — a blog from a Library 2.0 perspective.
- Building a Library Web Site on the Pillars of Web 2.0 — an article by Karen A. Coombs from Information Today, Inc.
- Tame the Web — A Weblog by Michael Stephens on Libraries and Technology.
One question I had about Web 2.0 that I was not able to ask in the conference I attended regards authority. The lecturer seemed to think that the best information and the best resources would rise to the top simply based on high referal rates from users. I can’t help but be concerned about the possibility of “tyranny of the masses.” Will the loudest voices drown out the wisest voices within Web 2.0? And what about the insidous influence of corporations to guide public tastes to their products? Jessamyn West has an interesting reflection on “why reference and authority matter” at librarian.net.
Finally, while not entirely on topic, I have a number of interesting-looking articles on libraries, technology and the future of libraries to read:
- Competition for Academic Libraries (Hint: It’s not Google) — from the Ubiquitous Librarian.
- The Library of Google — by Jonathan Rée in Prospect Magazine.
- Public libraries are good for the community — By Margaret Jakubcin in Oregon’s Mail Tribune.
- Could this be the final chapter in the life of the book — from The Sunday Times.
- If the Academic Library Ceased to Exist, Would We Have to Invent It? — by Lynn Scott Cochrane in Educause Review.
- Best Free Reference Sites in 2006 — compiled by the ALA’s Reference and User Services Association.
- Research Beyond Google: 119 Authoritative, Invisible, and Comprehensive Resources — from the Online Education Database.
