Section 2: The new information environment

Web 2.0

This section will look at:

• me, me, me: personalisation
• everything wanted quickly.

Subsequent sections will cover:

• people on the move
• people in control: user-generated content
• virtual communities.

These areas are all examples of the Web 2.0 phenomenon, which Stephen Abram described as follows:

Web 2.0 is about the more human aspects of interactivity. It is about conversations, interpersonal networking, personalization, and individualism. It is focused on content in the context of people, workplaces, markets, community and learning.

Web 2.0 as a term was first explored by Tim O'Reilly (2005) at a brainstorming session that was recorded in the article 'What is Web 2.0'.

The issue for information professionals and librarians is whether they are ready to meet the challenge this new landscape presents. As Abram (2008, p. 21) says, 'librarians have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invent a new future.'

Activity Read the article 'Social libraries: the Librarian 2.0 phenomenon', in particular the section on Librarian 2.0. How close are you to Librarian 2.0? What do you need to do or change to become closer to Librarian 2.0? Select 'New journal entry' in MyStuff (opens in new window) and note down any areas that you feel you need to tackle.