From the Director's DeskJuly 23, 2008 |
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Web 2.0 - What is it, and why should I care?When the Internet began it was a one-way communication tool. Information was placed on a web page or in a database; you accessed it, read or printed it, then used the information. That is now referred to as Web 1.0. Today the term Web 2.0 is used to describe some of the current tools and features of the Internet. Web 2.0 encompasses all those tools that people now use to communicate with each other. They are tools that allow people to collaborate and share information. Included in Web 2.0 are social networking sites (such as MySpace, LinkedIn and FaceBook), blogs and communication tools (Blogger, Twitter, RSS), wikis (Wikipedia, Citizendium), media sharing sites (Flickr, YouTube), social tagging sites (LibraryThing, Del.icio.us) and more. This year RPLS will promote exploration and dialog with our members on the various Web 2.0 tools that are available. Why should you care about these tools? First, your patrons are using them. They may have questions about them as they use the library computers to access them. Second, parents may ask you about MySpace or blogs, and if their children should be using any of these tools. Third, your library may benefit by using some of these Web 2.0 tools on your own library website. To kick off our year of Web 2.0 we have invited Frances Jacobson Harris, Professor of Library Administration, University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, to initiate the discussion on Friday, August 8th from 9:00 – 11:00 here at RPLS. Her presentation “Web 2.0 Land of Unexpected Consequences” will begin our discussion about the dynamic nature of Web 2.0, and how it has generated a whole range of unexpected cultural phenomena. As the year progresses, different Web 2.0 technologies will be presented at approximately six-week intervals, with workshops and open lab time. Join us as we begin our adventure. Rolling Prairie Library System |
