Praise of 2.0

The presenters treated 2.0 like praise singers treat the monarchs they serve. Perhaps it is the enthusiasm of the recent convert. It would have been interesting to hear some potential downsides to compare and contrast so one could make a more rational assessment of the phenomenon. Uncritical acceptance seems to be the order of the day.

Let us rejoice that now librarianism is seeking 'relevance.' The working public librarian has never been and will never be irrelevant, no matter what Technophilia, Academia, and Administrivia say. We answer questions, show how to manipulate information resources, and listen to patrons. What we require are tools that will allow us to assist people in finding the information they need and evaluating the various resources available now and in future.

And spare us the 'play around with it' nonsense. Show us how, using either instruction or tutorials staff. Don't blither about 'finding time.' Schedule off-desk or off-the-floor time where staff know they have a block of time dedicated to surveys of the various bits of gadgetry.

2.0 has possibilities and its moments, but in the end the purpose of libraries has always been the provision of dependable information in a timely manner. 2.0 is a collection of techniques devoid of content. The expansion of access to information is going to include access to a lot of stuff that is, to be kind about it, twaddle. Unless 2.0 addresses the question of information evaluation, it is not going to be nearly as wonderful as it has been presented.