I'd like to use this blog for Thing 2 to ruminate about MCPL's and my own knowledge of things Web 2.0. After viewing the video and reading the articles contesting the definitions of Web 2.0 and debating libraries' future in this rapidly changing environment, I feel as if the 2-3 years since these articles were written have gone some ways to at least acclimatizing many libraries and librarians to the concept of continual, technological- and user-driven change implicit in the idea of Web 2.0. What I don't think I personally, and MCPL as a whole, have achieved yet is the next level after having heard about/used/felt comfortable with 2.0 technologies such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. This level would include struggling with how these technologies fit into our library world - what do we do with them, to what extent do we try to control them, who uses them at work and in what way, etc. We're starting, and I'll give an example that illustrates both my struggle with this and the Library's as a whole.
Since taking my position as Teen Programmer, I've wanted Teen Services to have a presence on Facebook. It wasn't my brilliant idea - previous Teen Services folks, the current Teen and Adult Programming Coordinator, and I'm sure other Adult Services and IS staff have had this idea already. But my joining up with the department coincided with an organization-wide effort at revamping our intra- and external websites, with the idea of adding some social networking tools for our patrons. So I've kindly been asked provide some input on the idea of a Teen Facebook page and to think through some of the considerations before we go live. These considerations involve whether to allow user comments, what kind of moderation would be involved, whether the Facebook page should be primarily to point users to the MCPL webpage or a social networking tool or both, etc. My first reaction was that of course we should have comments, that there be little to no moderation, and that if we wanted a place that simply pointed users to our main library page we could just have another static webpage. But thinking things through I realized it's not as easy as all that.
There are considerations to be wrestled with. We want comments to be allowed but need a mechanism for removing abusive or libelous postings, for example. We want to have user submitted graphics, video, etc., but our target audience is made up of minors whose permission must be received and privacy protected. There needs to be a balance between enabling our users to view our content and add their own while respecting their rights and our organizational values and mission. We'll see how this all plays out in the next month or so, when we finally go live. Keep an eye out for out Teen Service Facebook page, and watch as it evolves. By all means, if you have questions or ideas, let me know!
