#15 (WEEK 6) Perspectives on Web 2.0

Reading the perspectives on Web 2.0 and its affect on libraries solidified for me the readings and exercises that came before. I now have a better understanding of what Web 2.0 is and what it means for the future of libraries. I remember when it was so special (1990's) to find a photograph for a student on the AP data base that Power library provided for school libraries; now with Flickr or youtube, anyone, anywhere can find one. According to futurist, Dr. Wendy Schultz, the library is everywhere, available to everyone, but people will still need experienced tour guides. I agree with her, but in the urban public school world, where budgets are slim, and not everyone agrees with this statement, librarians are on the cutting edge - the ones to be cut during the budget crunch. In some Philadelphia schools that still actually have libraries, many do not even have automated circulation or catalog systems. Unfortunately, district administrators do not see libraries as a necessary part of information technology when there are computer labs available. Cell phones, one of the emerging technologies of the future according to the 2008 Horizon report are outlawed for school use; if cell phones will become one of the means by which students access websites in the future, this policy will have to be re-examined. Oh, and you tube will have to be unblocked as well. The future is here, our students are part of it, will Philadelphia's public schools allow it? Will school librarians have an essential role?