When I began the Foundational readings for the Hyperlinked Library, the snapshot it created of Library 2.0 was an emerging concept and technology of the early 2000s. For example, Buckland’s specific technological references include “computer-based operations” becoming more affordable and storing “library materials in electronic form” (1993). Speaking as someone from the generation of grew up with Web 2.0, it’s strange to consider how common such things are nowadays. Others references in the text described the early days of libraries buying books from Amazon and user participation on the web stuck out to me because technology and our relationship to it has drastically evolved since the publication of the texts. Even the most recent publications were published before the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still impacting our everyday experiences and (user) needs.
Initially, I felt overwhelmed by how fast and dramatically some of the technological details no longer apply (or have exceeded our initial expectations). How could we as librarians ever hope to keep up? But sitting with that question only reinforced another core feature of the hyperlinked library: continuously embracing and implementing change for the good of the libraries and their users.
Change Involving Everyone
Within the model of Library 2.0, “constant and purposeful change” in libraries is inherently tied to centering and inviting library users into the redesign process (Casey & Savastinuk, 2007). What the change actually looks like will ultimately be defined by the user needs and how the librarians (and staff and volunteers and administration) meet that need. While involving users into this creation is no longer novel, this can come with its own set of challenges. Borrowing lessons from the design thinking process, evaluating user needs in practice could include:
- interviewing users directly and empathetically
- observing users’ behavior in the library and non-verbal reactions
That being said, creating change oftentimes also requires people and organizations to change themselves. I resonated with some of the barriers and mindsets that Stephens described as “holding librarians back” like being stuck in the mindset of “this is how it’s always been done” and feeling like there would be no time, support, or financial resources to implement change (2016). In my current administrative job, I’m one of the newer, younger employees, and my initial belief was that there were long-held processes in place, and that my job was to learn and assimilate to them, not to rock the boat.
With time and more working experience (and some inspiration from the Foundational readings), I learned that self-confidence, advocacy in the workplace, and empowerment from the organization are key for both productivity and progress. As such, implementing changes for our users and implementing changes in the workplace and design process will have to be done in tandem.
Lessons to Take Forward
The inevitability of change can be a hopeful, optimistic sentiment. So often, we feel that change is out of our control. We either feel that it is happening to us without our permission, or we feel disempowered to implement truly lasting, helpful change. But if technology has changed so much that what was once emerging is now mundane, then there is hope that our efforts today becomes tomorrow’s normal. The services offered by libraries, the technology we use, the mindsets that hold us back–we’ve changed them before, and we can change them again.
We get to decide what change looks like in our libraries. I started this post by saying how overwhelming rapid technological change could be. But the details of technological changes are only as important as how they inspire users and fulfill their needs. The sheer range of what libraries look like is evidence for this. Depending on the users, they may want to keep spaces filled with physical books (even with easy access to electronic alternatives) or designing maker spaces with tools fitting the study programs of university students. As long as we empower ourselves and listen to our users, we are in charge of the positive change we implement.
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