Web 2.0, Libraries, Library Staff, and Patrons

Web 2.0 is a nice revolution of the Internet landscape. Any tool or set of tools and technology that is easy to use, understand, and master that allows people to search, discover, find, use, and create, propagate, and collaborate on a local and global scale is awesome. And Libraries and their Staff should embrace these tools, but not to the extend that they disregard or ignore services to their patrons in the name of Progress, Technology, Coolness, or being Current.

I agree that Libraries need to understand these new tools, and to incorporate them to provide meaningful and timely services to their patrons, but Libraries should also keep in mind not all their patrons will like the changes, or can understand the new services. The Digital Divide is still present in our society, and in some cases, the gap is widening. Even thought prices of hardware such as computers, laptops and cell phones are going down, it seems prices for services keeps going up, and those pesky surcharges, fees, and what-not can be prohibitive to some people. So, it would good if Libraries embrace Web 2.0 but not to the extend they stop providing non-Web 2.0, in person service to patrons who are not up on technology and the hype.