Lib 2.0 is in Beta Release

Queen’s University LibraryMarch 6, 2006

Towards the Information Ecology

Michael RidleyChief Information Officer (CIO) & Chief Librarian

University of Guelph

Information Ecology

Speaking about the Future

“The future always arrives too fast... and in the wrong order.”

Alvin Toffler

“The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet.”

William Gibson

Information Ecology

I’m an academic librarian. I feel your pain.

I’m also a CIO and university administrator.

So, I come to you from

the dark side.

Disclaimer

Information Ecology

StewardshipDemocracy

ServiceRationalism

PrivacyEquity of Access

Intellectual FreedomLiteracy and Learning

Our Enduring Values

Information Ecology

“When simple change becomes transformational

change, the desire for continuity becomes a dysfunctional mirage.”

The Mirage of Continuity (1999) Hawkins & Battin

Information Ecology

Why the “Information Ecology?”

An environmental metaphor that connotes:

• Organic and Deliberate

• Interdependent and Diverse

• Fragile and Strong

Information Ecology

Web 2.0 & Lib 2.0

Blogs

Wikis

RSS

Tagging

Mashups

Social Networking

Open Access

Integrated Library System

Standards

Interoperability

User Centered

Information Ecology

Two Major Transformations

to Environment

a) Managed Digital Spaceb) Academic Town Square

1. From database/repository

Towards the Information

Ecology

Information Ecology

Two Major Transformations

to Information Finding People

2. From people finding information

a) Ubiquitous Accessb) Personalized Tools

Towards the Information

Ecology

Information Ecology

Paul SaffoInstitute for the Future

“The future belongs to neither the conduit or content players, but to those who control the filtering, searching and sense-making tools we will rely on to navigate through the expanses of cyberspace.”filtering, searching and sense-making tools

Information Ecology

Key Observations

Collaboration

Information Resources

Digital Preservation

Evaluation and Assessment

Information Ecology

Collaboration

• Powerful value

• Pragmatic strategy

• Teaching & Learning ... Research?

Information Ecology

Information Resources

• Distributed, global academic library

• Library as publisher

• Curatorial role: context, continuity, authenticity & authority

• Open Access & Rights Management

Information Ecology

Digital Preservation

• Stewardship & digital fragility

• Challenges:– technical– organizational– financial– conceptual

Information Ecology

Evaluation and Assessment

Accountability

Align

MeasureAssess

Vision

Street Cred:

What is Guelph Doing?

Information Ecology

Your Moment of Zen...

“To remain what it is, the library must change . . .

. . . if it does not change, it will not remain what it is.”

DavidPennimanUniversityat Buffalo

Lib 2.0 is in Beta Release

Towards the Information Ecology

Michael RidleyChief Information Officer (CIO) & Chief Librarian

University of Guelph