RCPL Tech Challenge Five

Hennepin is the leader in all things Web, in my opinion, (just take a look at what they've done with their Horizon Web catalog and how they've customized it.). What they've done with their My Space profile is no exception. It seems that these days, whenever you talk about some library 2.0 idea, Hennepin is already right there doing it.

I would like to see RCPL do the same thing - twoe of the main ideas of the library 2.0 movement ares to go where your patrons are, not wait for them to come to you, and to provide the services that your patrons want and need, not what YOU think they want and need. So in that light, having a myspace profile would be a great thing - a direct link into the catalog and my account, perhaps the 1431 New Arrivals list, and the "on order" list from Book Buzz, and a forum for people to ask questions. It could be very helpful. However, I also think that Meredith Wolfwater raises a very, very good point when she says "don't do it just to do it". That's a serious pitfall - if RCPL is going to do a myspace profile, let's be sure it's something our patrons want and need, and let's make sure we are going to provide the resources to do it right. I think every library should be forced to read this editorial before testing the waters of any "library 2.0" technology, whether it be wikis, blogs, My Space, etc.

As far as personal use, I have to say that this is the first technology-related thing where I kind of say "eh." I don't really see myself using My Space. I already read blogs, message boards, etc. and I don't really need to create an account there. That said, I did join the State Library's community. I do see myself using these types of sites in a professional capacity. Just not so much in a personal one.