Anderson, P (2007). All That Glisters Is Not Gold: Web 2.0 and the Librarian. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 39 (4), 195+
Paul Anderson's editorial titled 'All That Glisters is Not Gold' - Web 2.0 and the Librarian' attempts to provide the reader with an understanding of the relatively new concept of Web 2.0 and its relationship with professionals working within Library Services. The title implies that issues and complexities may deny, withhold or restrict the value of new technologies for a library environment. This article does try to give a comprehensive explanation of the complexities of Web 2.0 that need to be discussed and defined but not of its relevancy or application to a library or to professionals within this field. It must also be mentioned that the words 'blogs' and 'wikis' are only written once in the article - not necessarily making them part of 'Keywords'.
The Introduction provides brief definitions of Web 2.0 which give a short overview of the concept of this new wave of Internet language. Anderson states that librarians 'must attempt to make sense of ...changes...and engage with the issues, opportunities and challenges raised' (2007 p. 195). This is a valid and relevant point which make sense given that the title is indicating a relationship between new Internet concepts and services and a librarian's role but unfortunately works in the Shakespearian quote of 'all that glisters is not gold'. This quote as summarised here from Merchant of Venice, indicates an outward deceptiveness; a mistaken choice of value; a lack of insight of worth. The reference of this to the article's main points is unclear and does not arise within the body of the article again. This anomaly undermines the article’s validation.
The whole paragraph written under the heading ‘History of 'Web 2.0' is taken directly from Anderson's previous article 'What is Web 2.0? Ideas, Technologies and Implications for Education' (2007 p. 5 para. 6), word for word. No mention of this extraction is made to the reader.
Anderson is keen in his writing to suggest a Proposed Framework for Analysis; which also references his other article (Anderson (2007)b) and gives the reader an extensive listing of ideas for discussion of Web 2.0 concepts. His framework of three aspects allows the reader to view Web 2.0 in layers - a 'visible surface' (2007 p.196); a second aspect of ‘Six Big Ideas’ (Figure 1.) describing a more theoretical framework but which seems to be taken largely from O’Reilly’s original article (2005). A third aspect of 'Web technologies and standards....via the W3C' (Anderson 2007 p.196) is of a more technical realm, with no definitions explained, just assumed.
The fourth heading of the article 'Web 2.0 and the Library' seems to finally reach the point of the editorial with the term 'Library 2.0' approached; a library’s shifting focus from physical limitations of content and data management to a more interconnected, and, citing Miller (2006a) 'transformed Web-based services and data 'mash-ups'. The UK example of encouraging teens to engage more with the library and its services, through a Web-based network is a practical and relevant example of the relationship a library can have with its customers through Web 2.0.
Anderson brings up the concept of ‘perpetual beta’ as a feature of Web. 2.0 but it is more part of software development and testing of a feature integrated into the web service or software, even as it is live on the web, and available to users, described by Packer (2010 para 2). Anderson does give a concise explanation of why perpetual beta may become an issue as it does create constant ‘changes and updates to services over the Internet’ (2007 p. 196), but this is usually changes that are within a service, not a whole new service or concept incorporating Web 2.0 aspects although Packer suggests that a user
should expect changes. Expect to log on one day and find an entirely new feature waiting for you to use it. Expect to open the site one day to find that the layout has changed completely. Expect that when you look back on how you used the same service a year ago, you think 'how did I ever go without [recently added feature]’ (2010 para. 5).
This pattern of change is only going to become more wide spread as Web 2.0 becomes increasingly ubiquitous (Packer 2010 para.13).
This is a more positive approach to change that Web 2.0 creates, compared to Anderson’s example of a librarian being 'forced' (2007 p.196) to use a social web application to contact a library user. This ‘resistive’ language used signifies a opposition to modern technologies and issues for those having to cope with the ‘sheer speed’ of developments available (2007 p.196). This example does not give much credit to professionals in the library industry keeping abreast with technology or willingness to learn a new digital world.
The final paragraph only briefly mentions ethical issues such as privacy and copyright issues in regards to Web 2.0 applications and their place in Library services. For a more extensive reading on copyright and Web 2.0 view University of Melbourne’s Copyright Office (n.d. pp 2-5). Anderson encourages librarians to 'mobilize their skills' and 'deploy them in new directions' but with no actual detail as to what that may be and the final sentence of 'being engage(d), with the transformational ideas aspect of the Web 2.0 framework' (2007 p. 196) finishes the article.
‘All that Glisters is Not Gold’ is not a relevant title, as Anderson’s article barely touches on the problems or negative issues that Web 2.0 may bring to a library situation; more so an article that appears more focused on a need for analysing the multi-dimensional aspects new digital technology brings, incorporating statements from other sources rather than as an original article.
References:
Anderson, P. (2007) What is Web 2.0? Ideas, Technologies and Implications for Education. JISC: Bristol, URL (consulted July 2007): http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/techwatch/tsw0701b.pdf
Curran, K., Murray, M., Norrby, D. and Martin, C.(2006) Involving the User through Library 2.0, New Review of Information Networking 12 (1):47 - 59
All that Glisters is Not Gold (n.d.) E-notes: Study Smarter. Shakespeare quotes. Retrieved from http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/all-glisters-gold
Miller, P. (2006a) Coming Together around Library 2.0', D-Lib Magazine 12 (4).
O'Reilly, T. (2005) What is Web 2.0: Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software. O'Reilly Media Inc., URL (consulted Dec 2011):http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html?page=4
Packer, J. (2010) Perpetual Beta. Jonathan’s Web 2.0 Blog: an exploration in Web 2.0 topics, innovations and explorations. Retrieved from http://blog.jonpacker.com/?p=21
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