Perspectives on 2.0 and the future of libraries

Rick Anderson states in his article “Away from the ‘Icebergs’” that “as a Web 2.0 reality continues to emerge and develop, our patrons will expect access to everything…” My experience is that they already do. They expect that we should have it all including that obscure book published in 1985. I think that one of the library’s biggest challenges will be to change public perception of what a library is and what we can provide both instantly and over time. And a second challenge will be to continue to serve those behind the 2.0 curve even as we move forward. You know them – they are the ones looking for that obscure book published in 1985 who still want to hold that book in their hands as they read it and don’t mind waiting for it either.