Post #1 “If We Build It, Will They Come?”
I was reading an article by Meredith Farkas in her “Technology in Practice” column in the Sept. 07 edition of “American Libraries” about Flickr (“Pixels Worth 1,000 Words,) about how a library can use Flickr to tell its story, when I realized that libraries and librarians face two major challenges in the Library 2.0 world. We are addressing the first by taking this class, becoming aware of and how to use new digital tools to stay relevant to those born in the post web world. Entering the profession and having an impact on content and policy making are important, but only the first step. Somewhat more daunting however, is how to make people aware of and use these new tools and the library, simply put, if we build it, will they come?
While a great first step (and an important one,) using Web 2.0 tools is not enough. The connection between the library and its users (how to get them, how to keep them) is the real challenge we face in the future. Just putting up Flickr pages, without any strategy to expand the user base is like preaching to the choir; those who use the library now will migrate to the new content, but how do we reach the “non-users,” those who currently do not use or know about libraries? In what ways will we market our services to those users we need most? (And yes I said market. Like it or not, we compete with Google, Facebook, Ipods, and Tivos for the eyes and ears of our public.) There are as many answers to this question as there are libraries and librarians, but it will only be answered if we change the way we reach out and connect. I may produce the best widget in the world, but if no one knows about it, all I have is the best widget sitting around doing nothing. Which is what we may all be doing in 20 years time if we don’t somehow make new connections with our public.
They will come, but not because we built it. They will come only if we meet them where they are, and give them something they do not already have. You. While we learn to code and blog, we need to think about how we will make these new connections, since that is what will determine our futures.
Well said. Good thinking.
How profound.
As I look at the world of web 2.0 and all that is involved, it occurs to me that what’s the point of spending hours or even just minutes creating words, pictures, and comments but am too afraid to let it be seen or heard.
As in your first post, “thoughts matter.” I believe that indeed they do along with everything else us as librarians create and put forth. Although many will not understand much of what is involved with the new web 2.0 tools and creations, the users will benefit from the things we learn and put forth. It is a big responsibility to find ways to make it all available but one that we must face.