Library 2.0

There were two articles that I found useful in illuminating the whole Web 2.0 phenomenon: Michael Stephens' Into a new world of librarianship, and Rick Anderson's Away from the "Icebergs" article. I liked the roadmaps that these two authors presented for the library of the future, and I was glad to see that we as a system already do some of the things they recommend. Just the fact that we have an opportunity to "Learn & Play" with new technologies tells me about our commitment to "meet the users in their own space," as Stephens suggests. We are also moving away from the "just in case" collection model that Anderson warns us about.
We still have ways to go in terms of making all these new technological capabilities not just available, but necessary, useful and relevant to our patrons. Yes we want to engage and seduce the next generation, but we also need to maintain our commitment to the current generation of tax-paying patrons who do not need or want as much of the digital connection. We don't want to be obsolete, but we also don't want to alienate our base with too many changes too fast.
This transforming and trying time for the libraries is really exciting and scary. We have to balance the needs of the present, and at the same time prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the future.