Library 2.0

Over the past decade Library's all over the nation have seen dramatic changes occur. Some of these changes are not so great; budget cuts. While others are helping to created a new and improved library experience; technology, web 2.0, etc. The evolution of libraries is a sink or swim situation. Librarians either choose to embrace and grow with the changes or they choose to cling to the way things 'have always been done'. In his OCLC article about web 2.0 Rick Anderson explores this concept of accepting changes.

"No profession can survive if it throws its core principles and values overboard in response to every shift in the zeitgeist. However, it can be equally disastrous when a profession fails to acknowledge and adapt to radical, fundamental change in the marketplace it serves. At this point in time, our profession is far closer to the latter type of disaster than it is to the former.  We need to shift direction, and we can’t wait for the big ship of our profession to change course first. It’s going to have to happen one library—one little boat—at a time"

As librarians it is our duty to serve our patrons first and foremost, and our patrons require/demand new ways of thinking and doing things. A majority of today's patrons are must comfortable with the web and computers. At the same time we must not forget our patrons who may not be so tech savvy. Running a library today requires a balance of both old and new concepts. By melding the old with the new we are creating a new breed of libraries that will serve us far into the future.