I have been working in libraries for more than a decade. I have seen, especially in the last 5 years, the shift in what people want and how they use the library. When we open the doors in the morning, very few people stop at either the service desk or the reference desk. Instead they make a beeline for the computers. I’m hesitant to use the name of my library system as I have heard stories of people getting in trouble for blogging about it and being forced to take their entry down. However, I will be talking about Bookspace, so that might give you an idea about what library system I’m talking about.
Our text book talks about the importance of listening to front line staff and customers when re-evaluating services and making changes. I think this is very important! In the past year, we have had several pilot projects unveiled. One of the things we tried at my library was an “ask me” desk at the entrance of the library. It was right across from the circulation desk which pretty much is already an “ask me” desk. Now, if customers and front line staff had been asked, they would have known that where we really need extra help is over in the computer sign-up and printing areas. Instead a desk was added where we had no computer for looking anything up and we just had to send the customer to another desk for help. Anyway, I’m not trying to turn this into a rant fest (I do think my library does a lot of things right and I like working there), but just want to illustrate the importance of asking the staff who are right there every day on the front lines and know what is going on, rather than someone from on high just making a decision. If you want to be 2.0, listen to your staff. It’s supposed to be about collaboration, isn’t it?
However, I do have to say that I applaud my library’s willingness to make changes. We do not hesitate to look at trends and try new things. For instance, we have had pod-casting, social net-working and youtube workshops and gaming days for kids and teens. We also offer a wide variety of computer classes for adults. We serve an area where a lot of people don’t have computers at home, so these services are very important. Also, we have very much incorporated the idea of the library as a community gathering place. There is no teen community center in the area, so the need for this type of space is there. I could go on and on, but this is a blog post and I don’t want it to get too long!
I do want to talk briefly about Bookspace as well. I love Bookspace. The catalog isn’t always warm and inviting, but I think Bookspace is. People are used to Amazon, where they can give reviews and read book lists, etc… People are also used to using social networking sites and Bookspace, in a sense, is our library’s social network. You can create a profile with your book lists, author alerts and read other people’s comments on the book you may be reading. I haven’t played around with it as much as I would like to, but here is my profile. I have done one review, so far, but I can see that it hasn’t caused people to clamor to check the book out. I guess people aren’t all that interested in rhinos 
