Social Software is where it’s AT!
I will admit that I feel a sense of urgency when it comes to public libraries at this time – our services are no longer novel. Via the internet there are dozens of information and library service providers that are doing it better than we are because they are not limited geographically. Library Thing, Library Elf, and Booksfree are all knocking at our door. Our ace in the hole has always been our strong social foundation… we are really good at providing our patrons with a sense of place and connectedness. Through social software, however, they no longer have to turn to us for that either. We need to meet them where they live, so to speak, be present where they are online in order to secure our own valuable and appropriate place in the future, both online and off.
