Library 2.0 A Guide to Participatory Library Service

by Michael E. Casey, Laura C. Savastinuk

“In this book, you’ll discover the thinking behind Library 2.0 and its implementation, from user-centered planning to the need for constant evaluation. ... This model is not just for serving Millennials. It’s not just for the well-heeled techno-elite. It’s a service model for everyone.”
— Michael Stephens, From the Foreword

In Library 2.0: A Guide to Participatory Library Service, two of the first and most original thinkers on Library 2.0 introduce the essential concepts and offer ways to improve service to better meet the changing needs of 21st century library users. Describing a service model of constant and purposeful change, evaluation and updating of library services, and user participation, the book both outlines the theoretical underpinnings of Library 2.0 and provides practical advice on how to get there. From incorporating technology to reaching The Long Tail, from getting buy-in to maintaining momentum, all aspects of Library 2.0 are covered.

“Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk have taken the discussion of Library 2.0 from just a conversation among technophiles to the key audience: library administrators. They have debunked the myth that Library 2.0 is only about new technologies and framed it as a customer service issue. This book includes real life examples of how Library 2.0 can be applied in libraries.”
— Michael Golrick, Library Director, L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, Eau Claire, WI, and author, Thoughts from a Library Administrator

Genres: Library Science, Nonfiction, Business, Technology, Reference, Librarianship

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2007

About the author

Michael Casey is currently the Information Technology Director for the Gwinnett County Public Library in metropolitan Atlanta. Named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal in March 2007, he co-authored (with Laura Savastinuk) “Library 2.0: A Guide to Participatory Library Service” (2007, Information Today Press) and is a contributor to “Library 2.0 and Beyond” (2007, Libraries Unlimited). He and Michael Stephens co-authored a monthly column in Library Journal titled “The Transparent Library“. He has written and spoken extensively on the subject of modern library services.

An avid photographer, Michael has had many of his photos published, including in New York: A Photographic Album (2009, Universe), Sandra Cisneros: Inspiring Latina Author (2010, Enslow), Elle Decoration magazine, Georgia Gwinnett College Public Affairs Department, Diamond Dwellings Realty, and Green Leaf Brick.

Michael holds an MLS from Southern Connecticut State, an MA in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University, and a BA from Duquesne University. His family, friends, travel and hobbies can all be seen in his photos on Flickr.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

My last day at work was, appropriately enough, Friday March 13th. Now, after paying us for an entire month to do naught but sit on our lazy arses, the library board has decided that we at least need to put on some pretense of working from home. But . . . there's not a whole lot most librarians can do outside the library. Planning programs seems futile as we don't know when we'll be allowed to have programs again. (It will be a cruel, cruel summer indeed without the Kids' Summer Reading Program . . .) And, so the director has sent us all books to read - books about working in libraries! Hooray! The crops are saved! We can continue to get paid.

Originally published in 2007 (and withdrawn from our library last year, I might add), the book is more than a little dated. Yes, indeed - when this book came out MySpace was the largest social networking site, and many libraries still possessed books-on-tape. Still, there are some timeless ideas here for helping library staff meet the needs of both their patrons, and non-patrons. And, I found it reassuring to hear other librarians discussing what I find to be the most frustrating parts of my job: no matter how much the staff complain about an issue, it only becomes a PROBLEM when a patron complains, AND the fact that staff might be asked their opinions on certain policy, but all decisions come from the board - a group of community members, most of whom have never worked in libraries. Grrrr!

I was not a librarian in 2007, so I can't say what I might have thought if I had read the book when its contents were more relevant, but I can say that, like many works of nonfiction, the meat of this book could have been covered in one succinct magazine article. The authors resorted to padding, and oh, so much REPETITION to fill those 172 pages.

But, I will share the one line made that me laugh aloud - . . . when the local school lets out, and more than 100 teens come pouring into the building . . . Really? 100 teens? This must be The Magical Library of Far-Away Land, because around here, a teen in the library is as rare a sighting as a tap-dancing unicorn.

[Genesee Rickel]

Interesting ideas, could use an update for the 3.0 nature of tech, but the concepts of change and participatory culture are solid and still relevant.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a straightforward guidebook of sorts, though it is now a bit dated (the biggest social media site mentioned is MySpace). Even with some of the information being supplanted by newer sites and technological innovations, a surprising amount of this text remains relevant and useful. This book is best seen in the light of being a kind of library-wide project management guidebook.

Michael Casey does not go through all the ins and outs of project management, but instead he writes a sort of encouraging manifesto for libraries to adopt a less change-averse attitude. Casey provides step-by-step instructions to embracing change, which is the whole concept behind being "Library 2.0" (a now perhaps dated term relating to Web 2.0 without actually being necessarily linked to the Internet in any way). In short, listen to your patrons, listen to your staff, and look for ways to offer new services without shooting yourself in the foot by overworking staff or going over budget. Casey suggests a team-based workflow that involves different groups focusing on different aspects of investigating innovations, planning and implementing those changes, and evaluating them.

Although this is specifically written with libraries in mind, I imagine certain other non-profits could benefit from the mindset and tools presented in this volume. Worth checking out if any of that sounds relevant to you.

I can't wait to try to implement at least some of what I learned here. As outdated as some of it is, there are still a lot of really great ideas to test out, and the underlying idea of being in a state of constant change is what seems to be the way to run most any organization nowadays. 3.5 out of 5, rounded to 4.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a good job laying out the problems -- but (as it was written in 2007) needs to be updated on the "solution" side. It is also telling, however, that the problems Casey identifies in 2006/2007 are very much still problems in 2012. Nothing new or earth-shattering here, but I liked the bluntness in the discussion of how libraries manage (or mismanage) change. "Here's the truth: We are losing the interest of our users. We no longer consistently offer the services our users want. We are resistant to changing services that we consider traditional or fundamental to library service. We are no longer the first place many of ou current and potential customers look for information." That last one especially is a huge challenge for libraries today. It all speaks to our relevance in our communities.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although somewhat dated, the ideas expressed are still worthwhile. I read this for a paper for a Graduate management class on change management, but chose this book in particular because my library is going through a major change, itself. The essence and most important part of the book is contained is this quote:
"It is important for all who have a stake in the change to be involved in the planning process in some way." (50)
You can tell this was written from a public library perspective, because they bashed ILL in at least 3 separate places in the book. ILL may not be important to public libraries, but it is the mainstay of academics.

Overall, not a bad book, and a pretty decent resource for those interested in public libraries.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book did a great job of explaining the philosophy behind the Library 2.0 movement, and I felt that it did so in a level-headed way. I think the most important thing to take away from this book is that it's important to be open to change, but not simply for the sake of changing - for the sake of your patrons. They do a great job of talking about how and why libraries should regularly evaluate their services and figure out what their patrons want -- and then do something with that information. I thought this was a great book to read in tandem with "Social Software in Libraries."

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've done a lot of reading about 2.0. This one was by far one of the best since the authors approached it with a business and knowledge management philosophical underpinning, rather than a "this is good for us yay!!!!" attitude. I think a lot of what is said is important, valuable, and key to understanding why we need to do this in the library world. Unfortunately, a lot of the yay-sayers are bandwagon jumpers who haven't thought about the reasoning; they would not be able to articulate it when someone asks why 2.0.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

The advice to move around staff laterally and not promote the obvious choice offended my anxiously risk-averse soul, but I guess it was logical...

I appreciated the survey in the appendix and the detailed links and specific advice (even though it is now horribly outdated) aaaand speaking of outdated: I am pretty sure my offended delicate sensibilities mean I am a Luddite or old person or whatever? Ill-suited to librarianship 2.0? (I sure hope not. Don't revoke my librarian status, goodreads, k? I promise I'll go back to metadata-fixing and other fun lurkings once I have more free time.)

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's overall, a good book. Yet, much better for someone not familiar or not comfortable with Library 2.0. Provides a good overview of theory and basic fundamentals while explaining the importance of communication. It could use a revision, especially disappointing for a Library 2.0 book all about incorporating social media into your library. Some of the technologies described are not even around or have changed dramatically and their companion website hasn't been updated since 2007.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the textbook for my Library 2.0 class with Michael Stephens (he writes the forward) and it is a great overview to the concept of change and how libraries need to embrace it. Less about the specifics of various social networking tool, this book is much more about how to successfully implement change and work to make the library a user-driven experience.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept was good but yikes was it hard to get through. They just repeated the same things over and over. I'm not stupid, they aren't difficult concepts, why do some people write just to see the words on the page! Uck!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great discussion of Library 2.0 - what it is, examples, and how to implement services in this model. The two hallmarks of Library 2.0 are constant and purposeful change and participative, user-driven services.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

xplains concepts clearly, if a bit concise, I began my library training with Laura...small world!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my Library 2.0 homework.

A great overview of what's currently out there as well as a step by step guide in involving staff and administration into the new world of Library 2.0.

[Karen]

Helpful reference.

[Laura]

Just adding this to my virtual library... Obviously, I have read it!! :-)

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first 6 chapters and then skimmed the rest. I got bored. It had a lot of good concepts, but some bits felt repetitive.

[Apostolos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given it a 2.5, but it's good enough to round up.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was great for outlining what Library 2.0 is. But it didn't knock my socks off or anything. So I'll have it three stars thank you very much!

[Mikey]

I am just starting to read this.