Library 2.0

Well I read Rick Anderson, Michael Stephens, and Dr. Wendy Schultz's ideas about Library 2.0. All made good points.

I agree with all of Rick Anderson's ideas. This especially struck me: "But if our services can’t be used without training, then it’s the services that need to be fixed—not our patrons." I feel it will be a real balancing act adopting technological trends yet incorporating easy to use technology and/or easily implemented customer education. The aforementioned quote also reminded me of what Michael Stephens said in his address to CML about 2.0., to paraphrase, he said "if staff doesn't get behind a technology it won't work no matter what it is." I feel this ties in with Stephens' idea of controlling technolust. Technophiles don't necessarily set the trends we should incorporate wholeheartedly; if the average library user cannot use it with little difficulty, the technology should not be central to the library experience.

The most attractive portrait of libraries of the future was painted by Dr. Wendy Schultz. Aside from the Second Life bit (which I think is a wrong direction to go and so do many corporations who are pulling out of it in hindsight) the library she describes sounds divine. Library 4.0 with its mind gym sounds a bit idealistic, but hey I'm an Aquarius. I find it very forward thinking that she describes a part of the library as being a "sanctuary" and a place to "retreat from technohustle."

Techgnosis?

Well I rarely get excited about new technology. I have never been awed by new whiz bang gadgetry (although I must confess that I have ordered SPORE, which is being shipped as I type, because the breakthrough animation corresponding to the game's evolution theme speaks to my biology nerdiness).

However, I picked my brain for some sort of technological advance which had recently piqued my interest. I recalled this article: http://www.realitysandwich.com/collecting_sun

My wife and I have been researching adding solar panels to our home but are waiting for Ohio solar incentives to increase, because right now the cost of a homeowner adding enough panels to their home to make a significant difference is still quite expensive. Hopefully this solar energy storage breakthrough will help Ohio, and other states, encourage solar energy even more.