Managing the Blog
Paper topic 2.0: “Transitions from 1.0 to 2.0: Managing the Blog”
Abstract: This paper looks at how one library set forth in a Ten Things project to become familiar with Library 2.0 tools and philosophies. The Ten Things was devised by an especially forward thinking group of librarians who seized the moment in order to share their knowledge and bring all staff on board to the Library 2.0 social network. As a participant and analyst with this project, Marlz shares her own experiences and looks closer at how blogs, created by staff, can aid in helping to understand the culture and management strategies that are held within libraries. Marlz believes that blogs allow for improved communication across all library staff and departments but, also reveals why 2.0 isn’t always an easy transition. This paper consults a variety of sources, such as the web sites of Michael Stephens, Meredith Farkas, and Jenny Levine for commentary on the topics of how to progress libraries toward 2.0 practices and philosophies. Looking outside the box at how the corporate world has adjusted to 2.0, Marlz also addresses Enterprise 2.0. The realities of libraries competing with bookstores should influences the ways that libraries and businesses are looking to serve not only their customers but their employees as well. Blogging has humanized even the largest of corporations and improved the overall communication within organizations. The works of authors such as, Buckland, Locke, Levine, Searles, & Weinberger, and Rheingold serves as literary support for views of the world in 2.0 and what it stands for.
Conclusions: The author, Marlz, believes that the powerful root of 2.0 allows barriers to be broken down and collaboration to happen. The author also reminds the reader that change can be a slow process and playing is necessary in order to transition successfully from a 1.0 to a 2.0 mentality.
Key Words: 2.0, blogging, libraries, management, corporations, hierarchies, work culture
