Web 2.0: Exploring Libraries — and our Information Users

Keynote Speaker: Brian C. Gray

Program: The information world is becoming more user-driven and “social” in scope. As information professionals, we must understand this new wave of Internet customization and collaboration. Our users are developing new expectations in information delivery and interaction, but are we meeting or exceeding their needs? Some libraries and information providers are exploring and utilizing the same principles and technologies that have driven the Web 2.0 movement. Libraries are using tools such as blogs, RSS feeds, wikis, social communities, podcasts and various “mash-ups”, to give library users increased ownership in their library experiences. At the same time, users are creating tools to supplement and/or replace their library interactions. Even if your library is not leading the technology wave – are you at least recognizing how the new web developments have changed the user’s experience?

Presenter: Brian C. Gray, MLIS, is the Engineering, Mathematics, and Statistics Librarian at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He teaches a workshop at Case on using RSS feeds and is helping to implement instant messaging as a reference tool. Starting in the spring of 2007, he is teaching a new workshop, “Using Web 2.0 Principles to Become Librarian 2.0” for the Kent State University School of Library & Information Science. He is current web coordinator for the Library Administration and Management Association of ALA, has designed serveral blogs, and maintains a personal blog on engineering resources (http://blog.case.edu/bcg8/), a personal blog on web 2.0 in libraries (http://briangray.alablog.org/) and co-authors several other blogs.