Library 2.0: Evolutionary or Revolutionary

For class, we read an interesting article that looked at Web 2.0 tools and their relation to library services. The focus of the article was to identify if this trend in library services, which has taken on the moniker "Library 2.0," is an evolution or a revolution. Based on my political science/history background, the definition of evolution and revolution comes down to the amount of time involved. If it is quick and drastic change, it is a revolution. If it is slow and steady, it is an evolution. The authors of the article we reviewed presented the idea that Library 2.0 is actually a little bit of both, and I think I can agree with that.

As with everything that is part of this new wave of online technology, I think the tools of Web 2.0 are revolutionary. Most of the tools involved are fairly new, having only come about since the beginning of the millennium. With that said, they haven't just burst on to the scene and remained the same. As blogs, wikis, and social media sites are continuing to be used, they are also adapting and evolving in response to how the people using them want them to operate. In a way, this is at the core of what makes Web 2.0/Library 2.0 operate: the ability of the end user to interact and help direct how they get what they want and to help mold that end product.

For me, that is part of what makes the idea of Library 2.0 more of an evolutionary model. My experience and understanding is that librarians really should have always been doing everything possible to get people the information and resources. What is a major shift is that there is a higher level of interactivity involved on the part of the patrons to help organize this information and be proactive in making more information that people would want readily available ... so much so that the patrons don't have to seek out information, the information finds its way to the patrons before they even know they want it.

What does the future hold? None of us can really predict the specifics because the technology is continuing to evolve and change and new inventions could revolutionize services even more. Either way, I think it is pretty exciting. We are living in a time of change.