internet librarian international 2007
DESCRIPTION
My closing keynote at Internet Librarian International 2007TRANSCRIPT
Facing the Challenge of Web 2.0 as a Disruptive Technology
Phil Bradley
Internet Librarian International [email protected]
http://www.philb.com
What’s Web 2.0 all about?
• Is it…
THIS?
Or how about?
Is it even about…
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”
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
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
So what’s actually happening?
• Change– Librarians– Other information professionals
– Technical support staff– Publishers– Companies
– Search Engine Optimizers– Managers
• Change (continued)– Staff– Press and publicity departments– Organizations– Other groups
– Social groupings– Microsoft– Google
– Etc. etc. etc….
Change is
• Scary
• A challenge
• Requires thought• Removes the safety zone
• Questions the traditional methods
• May result in us doing the wrong thing
Because…
• When you come right down to it, Web 2.0 is not about– Software– Resources– Websites– Webpages
– Silicon Valley
• It’s about …
A change of mindset
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!
• 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
• 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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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)
Ultimately…
• Pandora’s box is open
• Join or start a constructive dialogue
• Be involved with developments
• We’re about finding out about stuff!
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!"
Thank you!
• Website: http://www.philb.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Weblog: http://www.philbradley.typepad.com/