Module 3 - Building Academic Library 2.0

View this YouTube video called 'Building Academic Library 2.0'. This is part of a symposium sponsored by Librarians Association of the University of California, Berkeley Division in 2007. While this presentation is over one (1) hour in duration, there are a number of key points raised by a number of speakers, including the keynote speaker Meredith Farkas that relate to any library or information agency that is trying to transform their library into a 2.0 Library.
Consider advice provided by one or more of the speakers in terms of a library and information agency that you know (as an employee or user). Select five (5) key pieces of advice from these speakers, and consider how these may be applied to your library to help it embrace a Library 2.0 ethos. Write up your findings as a post (of no more than 350 words in your OLJ). 

This was a relevant and enjoyable presentation, providing sound advice for libraries looking to embrace a Library 2.0 ethos, it reminded me of Christine McKenzie’s ‘Reaching higher – looking out’ (2008) article. The five most pertinent points from this talk in relation to my library are:

1.       Build a learning culture – Everyone within the organisation needs to be on board with the transition to Library 2.0, and this means including everyone in the conversation and providing opportunities to learn and network to everyone, as Farkas states, not just those in senior roles. A Library 2.0 themed staff development day is one application of this.

2.       Collect knowledge internally - This can work for customers as well as staff. It’s important to know which library staff are skilled in which area so they can develop the skills of others. However, I really liked Farkas’ idea of having a space (wiki) where both library and customers can share their knowledge. This is a great way to promote the library’s resources, for local experts to contribute or for school students to share information for an assignment.

3.       Capitalise on your network – this could work well in conjunction with ‘building a learning culture’ by providing an online space where staff can discuss Library 2.0 issues, their areas of expertise, and report back from conferences and training. This concept requires management support, as Farkas states, so that it is recognised as an important way of keeping up to date with developing technologies.

4.       Understand staff member’s needs and limitations – provide learning experiences which covers all learning styles to ensure greatest success. This means training with a visual, audio, theoretical and practical component, and encouraging staff to support and learn from each other, regardless of where they are on the Library 2.0 journey.

5.       Time must be devoted to all this – Farkas suggests that keeping up to date with new and developing technologies be included in every employee’s Job Description. I agree with this as it cements in the importance of the Library 2.0 ethos, and officially sanctions time spent on this activity. Furthermore, it allows definition and strategy on how this can be achieved, and could even be measured in annual reviews.

References:

Farkas, Meredith. (2007). Building Academic Library 2.0. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_uOKFhoznI

McKenzie, Christine. (2008). Reaching higher – looking out. Australian Library Journal, 57 (1). Retrieved from: http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/alj/57/ALJ_Vol57_No1_2008.pdf