So, just today via the Twitter stream (because I didn't even have the time to plough through Google Reader) I found what I think is a great presentation from Richard MacManus of ReadWriteWeb:
Web 3.0 or Not, There's Something Different About 2009
Here is what I got out of it regarding some aspects of Web 3.0 that are appearing already:
- from read/write web to provision of more web services
- smarter web - personalised, filters (Facebook & FriendFeed) & recommendations
- more mobile applications and services (like IPTV)
- more openness
- Twitter as an indicator - real time web?
- Google evolving by offering improved core search
I reckon Richard's slides are a quick and easy-to-understand introduction to the "concept" of Web 3.0. I even felt moved to comment on Richard's post, saying that at UTS we have: started moving on a mobile presence for the Library's website; we're looking at how we can personalise our web interface and provide improved filters/recommendations; we're doing more real-time online service by using Meebo (now) and Twitter (soon); and we're enhancing & extending the search interface for our "catalogue". Richard's post and presentation ties in well to the other recent useful writings of people like Greg Boutin. More people need to read this now!
Actually, while we are on this future library topic, I also think it is a good idea to read The gathering storm on the future of academic libraries from Mark Dahl of Lewis & Clark College in the US. It focuses on the impact cloud computing will have on higher education libraries.
Most of us will find slides 7-9 challenging, and I hasten to add that there is certainly no agenda to down-size the UTS Library. We do, however, need to focus more on creative value-adding if we are to stay relevant. Slides 17-24 are really the message I liked and I think they are good advice for our future.
I also came across this article via his blog (synthesize-specialize-mobilize). It sums up his thoughts about the future of our uni-library search & discovery systems (i.e. Endeca for us). A good quote from the article is:
The challenge of technology and metadata professionals will move from managing a library's own set of isolated databases to managing their library's imprint on shared global discovery platforms.
His blog is probably a good one to follow.
