(Canva, 2026)
When I was in middle school, dismissal was at noon on Thursdays, too early for many parents to pick up their children. Thankfully, the library was just a 10-minute walk away (30 minutes, if you count the clandestine pit stop at the liquor store for Sour Punch candy). And so, every Thursday, a small group of friends and I eventually made our way to the library. These afternoons were always packed with kids in similar need of a safe place to park while they awaited pick-up. The library was a fun place to gather as long as you were early enough to grab a table in the kids’ section. If not, you had to brave the mean, steely-haired librarian in adult reference who was known to boot kids out for talking and other crimes; there, you actually had to do your homework.
A few days ago, I looked up the library I frequented as a kid. It is very different from how I remember it and has been renovated into a huge structure that now includes two stories. There are computer stations, a quiet area, meeting rooms, Chromebook and hotspot lending, and digital tools for creation. Late fees have been eliminated. The children’s section now dominates the second floor and even includes a play area.
I shared this walk down memory lane with my parents yesterday morning over dim sum. Mom made the mom face when I told her about how my friends and I would ditch our backpacks and then head back out to get taquitos. Dad is from the old school and scoffed at the idea of a play area; libraries are quiet places, not a playground.
But this library is not a playground. This library looks like it is working to meet the needs of its patrons. The space appears to be an inviting place to study, read, play, or create. The renovation looks great and seems to be a positive example of movement toward Library 2.0. What is not visible is the work, planning, and collaboration behind the beautiful architecture, space design, and services. As with any large project, there had to be a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that went into its planning and implementation.
As I read and learn about Library 2.0 and Hyperlinked Libraries, there are two core pillars that stand out—trust and relationships. What is Library 2.0? In short (and how I understand it), it is a dynamic, user-centered approach to librarianship, a different way of thinking and operating where libraries are better able to serve their communities with services that meet users’ needs. How this occurs is where the difference lies in the fact that it is more collaborative, more participatory in nature and requires the working partnership of all stakeholders.
Casey and Savastinuk (2007) provide a roadmap to Library 2.0 which involves a shift in thinking where library service includes purposeful and ongoing change, is participatory in nature, and reaches out to all users. Implementing Library 2.0 may require a dramatic overhaul in practice so trust is key among all players involved—administrators, staff, and patrons. While Casey and Savastinuk do not explicitly mention it, I found transparency to be deeply embedded in their approach.
Moving toward Library 2.0 may be challenging. Change is often difficult, especially when it involves this type of paradigm shift. When introducing change, employees may feel anxious, fearful, or resistant. They may fear the unknown, they may have had previous bad experiences, or they may perceive change as a threat. Transparency can help to address these fears and is embedded throughout the processes of implementation and integration. Casey and Savastinuk (2007) explain how these feelings can be managed: make expectations clear, explain the motivation behind the changes being made, and involve the stakeholders in the change process. “Change can be scary, but when staff and customers are well informed about an impending change, the reasons behind it, and the benefits stemming from it, you will see a more positive reaction” (Casey & Savastinuk, 2007, p. 108).
Transparency is an important part of new librarianship where teamwork and collaboration are integral. Casey and Stephens (2007a) outline how transparency helps foster communication among library employees. By making clear what frontline staff deal with on a day-to-day basis, other sectors gain understanding of the distinct roles, responsibilities, and concerns their colleagues must oversee.
Despite the turbulence implementing Library 2.0 may cause, particularly at the start, transparency can be invaluable in cultivating trust among all stakeholders, staff in particular, who are often manning the front lines. They are a valuable source of input and can provide suggestions and feedback or report issues but must be able to trust their administrators. Casey and Stephens (2008) state, “Encourage trust, respect, and a willingness to be open. Remember, no one should be punished for speaking up or speaking out. And use that feedback from staff and library users for planning.” This is a crucial point when moving toward Library 2.0. Alleviating fear of failure may lessen resistance to change as does providing encouragement and support. “The ‘To Do’ list for transparency is simple but requires commitment from administrators and staff and a willingness to learn from failure” (Casey & Stephens, 2007b).
Transparency has the potential to strengthen relationships and keep stakeholders motivated. I have seen first-hand the way transparency improves morale and encourages productivity; buy-in occurs when employees are valued and respected as professionals. When competent leaders embody the true spirit of teamwork and collaboration, they empower their staff to facilitate change.
References
Canva. (2026). Canva AI 2.0. https://www.canva.com
Casey, M. E., & Savastinuk, L. C. (2007). Library 2.0: A guide to participatory library service. Information Today, Inc.
Casey, M., & Stephens, M. (2007a, September 15). Going to the field. Tame the Web. https://tametheweb.com/2007/09/15/going-to-the-field/
Casey, M., & Stephens, M. (2007b, December 15). A road map to transparency. Tame the Web. https://tametheweb.com/2007/12/15/a-road-map-to-transparency/
Casey, M., & Stephens, M. (2008, November 15). Six signposts on the way. Tame the Web. https://tametheweb.com/2008/11/15/six-signposts-on-the-way/