Web 2.0

As I read the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 articles from OCLC nextspace, I was struck by Rick Anderson's statement in Away from the "Icebergs" that "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....adapt to ....change in the marketplace it serves." Sorry for chopping his thoughts like that, but I wanted to include both ideas. A core value for public libraries is public service to the community, and it is no contradiction for the public library to provide what its customers want and pay for with their taxes. Entertainment movies, Internet access, bestsellers and children's storytime are extremely important to our customers. Our local schools require print sources for reports and projects so neglecting our book collection in favor of the electronic is really not an option. But I honestly do not see a contradiction between a traditional library mission and the concepts behind Library 2.0. All of the social networking and information sharing tools that are possible have wonderful potential for our customers. We just cannot neglect segments of our "marketplace" for the bells and whistles and buzzwords.