Trends, Fads or Folly: Spotting the Library Trends That Really Matter

In surveying the landscape of our profession and the technological trends that impact it, it is simple to identify several new technologies that “could” be used by libraries to improve or enhance the patrons’ experience with and perception of the Library.   This program will investigate new trends in libraries such as patron-created folksonomic cataloging (del.cio.us, LibraryThing & the new breed of OPAC’s), libraries and librarians in virtual environments such as Second Life, as well as give an update on libraries and social networks (mySpace & facebook).  Are these trends? Just fads? Plain old Folly?  We’ll deal with a central question in this teleconference:  To what extent do Libraries need to quickly adopt new technologies into their programs? Or, “just because you can do it, does that mean that you should?”