Web 2.0/Library 2.0

While I agree that we need to embrace the Web 2.0 technologies, I don't think that we should be using them to completely replace our "just in case" collections as the article "Away from the Icebergs" seems to suggest. In doing so, we would be driving away certain groups of patrons ie the poor and seniors. Some people are unable to afford Internet access at home and are unable to spend the time that they need at the library in order to discover the information that they want or require electronically. A book is much more portable. There are also seniors who don't feel comfortable with technology and don't want to learn. If we are aiming to be inclusive, we don't want to alienate our Seniors by pressuring them to learn a new technology and removing everything with which they are familiar.

Also, in my experience, patrons still want books. If they are traveling, as said before, a book is much more portable. Do-It-Yourself car mechanics want a book by their side as they peer into the engine in front of them. Recreational readers want a book in their hand as they lay curled up on the couch. It's hard to get comfortable with a laptop on your lap when you have to keep scrolling and adjusting the screen to read what's next. The kids coming into the library this summer may be interested in computers but they are also looking for books.....Why else would some our shelves be completely devoid of books by a particular author? These shelves are normally full.

I don't mean to sound anti-technology. I just believe that we can't REPLACE our "just in case" collections COMPLETELY with it.

One last thought....I agree with Michael Stephens, author of "Into a New World of Librarianship," that we need to make "good, yet fast decisions." If we don't, we won't be able to keep up. By the time we are getting the newest technological advance, it will be passe.