Saturday, November 10, 2007

Week 6, Thing #15: Perspectives on Web 2.0 Future of Libraries

Dr. Wendy Schultz's article, "To a Temporary Place in Time ... On the way to the library experience of the future," resonates with me. Her perspective touches me on numerous levels - intellectual, emotional, sensory - and from a variety of perspectives - bibliophile, technophile (my word?), human being.

I appreciate Dr. Schultz's keen ability to provide linkage and logical continuity to the ever-evolving world of libraries and information, from its most basic incarnation to the anticipated Library 4.0 world of "Augmented Reality" (AR). Her vision manages to incorporate the seemingly endless expansion and development of technological resources and capabilities with the continued, albeit always evolving, presence of the librarian as interpreter and facilitator in selecting, accessing and using information.

Blending the best practices and principles of libraries past, present and anticipated future, Schultz's concept of Library 4.0 unfolds as "... the library for the aesthetic economy, the dream society, which will need libraries as mind gyms; libraries as idea labs; libraries as art salons. But let’s be clear: Library 4.0 will not replace Libraries 1.0 through 3.0; it will absorb them. The library as aesthetic experience will have space for all the library’s incarnations: storage (archives, treasures); data retrieval (networks—reference rooms); and commentary and annotation (salon). Available as physical places in the library “storefront,” they will also be mobile, as AR overlays we can view (via glasses, contacts, projections) anywhere. ... But Library 4.0 will add a new mode, knowledge spa: meditation, relaxation, immersion in a luxury of ideas and thought. In companies, this may take the form of retreat space for thought leaders, considered an investment in innovation; in public libraries, the luxurious details will require private partners as sponsors providing the sensory treats. Library 4.0 revives the old image of a country house library, and renovates it: from a retreat, a sanctuary, a pampered experience with information—subtle thoughts, fine words, exquisite brandy, smooth coffee, aromatic cigar, smell of leather, rustle of pages—to the dream economy’s library, the LIBRARY: a WiFREE space, a retreat from technohustle, with comfortable chairs, quiet, good light, coffee and single malt. You know, the library."

Here is the URL for the complete article: http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/6.htm

Libraries as "mind gyms, idea labs, art salons, knowledge spas"... To my mind, while this vision represents new technologies within new contexts, the role of the librarian/information specialist should remain pivotal in the Library 4.0 world, assuming we continue to hone our skills and expertise as information managers, purveyors of knowledge and ideas and as literary experts. It is my belief and hope that libraries, in their various incarnations, will always serve as forums for ideas, information and community. As such, the human component will always be at the helm.