Library 2.0

Learning 2.0, and extension of Web 2.0, is about applying web application in the environment of the library. The readings for this week raise some interesting issues for the future of libraries and the application of technology.

As Rick Anderson states that the Web 2.0 in "reality continues to emerge and develop, our patrons will expect access to everything- digital collections of journals, books, blogs, pod casts, etc." This can be seen in two lights, firstly a nightmare for people to protect their copyright and secondly explaining the delivery sources already available. Many copyright and intellectual writers explain the nightmarish situation where all books, journals and other material are all freely accessible through the library. The world would become a large library where information is freely traded when in the past lack of technology and distance has to some extent protected copyright. People continue to buy books, subscribe to journals and pay for peoples work because they can be difficult to access otherwise. Applications which make these resources more readily available online to any user may defeat this copyright defence, a situation which sends shiver down the collective spine of copyrighters.

This however, is only one view of the increasing avaliability of information. As Michael Stephens explains Library 2.0 is more about libraries embracing tools such as instant messaging, weblogs and wikies, the information is the same, its just how we present it. As John J. Riemer explains it is simply an expansion of delivery not a time bomb on copyright. This is what libraries are really about in essence, allowing information and education not to be guarded by those who can afford it. Therefore allowing people to access information which is already there, but in different and more accessible ways.