Internet Librarian International 2007

Slide 1: Facing the Challenge of Web 2.0 as a Disruptive Technology Phil Bradley Internet Librarian International 2007 philb@philb.com http://www.philb.com

Slide 2: What’s Web 2.0 all about? • Is it…

Slide 3: THIS?

Slide 4: Or how about?

Slide 5: Is it even about…

Slide 6: Sometimes it’s all about: • “It can’t be done” • “We don’t have the resources” • “Bandwidth problems” • “Security issues” • “Write a proposal” • “Not your job” • “Not enough time”

Slide 7: It’s also about chaos… • “Staff complaints force red faced [company] into Facebook U-turn” Legalweek 25/05/07 • “Employees should have access to social networking websites such as Facebook during office hours” TUC BBC News 30/08/07 • Students campaigns at Facebook threats force HSBC to change plans Guardian Unlimited 30/08/07

Slide 8: And even more chaos • One third of bloggers risk getting the sack by posting derogatory content about employers BBC News 24/05/07 • “Companies urged: ‘let your staff blog’” BBC News 04/04/07 • Diplomat blog pulled after abuse BBC News 12/04/07 • Keele University threaten disciplinary action regarding Facebook content BBC News 24/05/07

Slide 9: So what’s actually happening? • Change – Librarians – Other information professionals – Technical support staff – Publishers – Companies – Search Engine Optimizers – Managers

Slide 10: • Change (continued) – Staff – Press and publicity departments – Organizations – Other groups – Social groupings – Microsoft – Google – Etc. etc. etc….

Slide 11: Change is • Scary • A challenge • Requires thought • Removes the safety zone • Questions the traditional methods • May result in us doing the wrong thing

Slide 12: Because… • When you come right down to it, Web 2.0 is not about – Software – Resources – Websites – Webpages – Silicon Valley • It’s about …

Slide 13: A change of mindset

Slide 14: Some library based challenges • How can I trust that these things will continue to be available? • These things are not authoritative • I don’t have time to learn all these things!

Slide 15: • Too much information out there to keep up with • How do these things make money? • I don’t know which ones to use – what if I get it wrong? • I’m not allowed to do this stuff

Slide 16: • But it’s only in a beta version! • My place of work doesn’t want to be associated with these things • I’d love to use these things but they’re banned where I work • It’s just a buzzword and a fad – no point learning it because it will go away

Slide 17: On the other hand… • The ‘Just do it’ brigade • We’re right at the edge of what’s going on • Remember that people get scared • Computer stuff is not inherently fascinating!

Slide 18: Never the twain shall meet? • Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 isn’t about technology • It’s about doing things better • It’s about end users • It’s about making your life easier

Slide 19: For the anti brigade • Forget the ‘2.0’ label and consider how you can do things better • See if there’s an application out there that can assist you with it • Try it

Slide 20: For the ‘just do it’ brigade • Forget the ‘2.0’ label and consider how you can do things better • Use things, explore them • Approach colleagues in the spirit of ‘have you tried?’ and don’t push it • Accept there IS a digital divide

Slide 21: For the technical staff • 2.0 resources are an opportunity to do more interesting things • Embrace ‘how can we’ not ‘why we can’t’ • 2.0 is not a threat • Your job should be to empower

Slide 22: For all the managers • Trying things out is a good thing • Getting things wrong isn’t necessarily a bad thing • Professional development is crucial • Be led by future needs, not past requirements

Slide 23: More for managers (because they get paid more) • Embrace ‘yes and’ rather than ‘no but’ • Do not let technology dictate to you • Remind YOUR managers that it’s about change • 2.0 can save money!

Slide 24: Do we need a revolution? • No, we don’t • Small implementations • Change organically, embrace, don’t fight • Be curious and play! (Play is not bad)

Slide 25: Ultimately… • Pandora’s box is open • Join or start a constructive dialogue • Be involved with developments • We’re about finding out about stuff!

Slide 26: And Finally… • A library is a growing organism. — Shiyali Ramamrita RANGANATHAN (1892-1972) • \"Librarians must be like Krishna! And descend into the world to combat ignorance!\"

Slide 27: Thank you! • Website: http://www.philb.com • Email: philb@philb.com • Weblog: http://www.philbradley.typepad.com/