Conclusion

Library 2.0 offers a unique lens for thinking about modernizing and enhancing library service. Relinquishing control and the democratization of production and participation are compelling notions that are not entirely discordant with established library norms. After all, free and equal access to library resources is a long established library ideal. If there is an innovation to library 2.0 it is importance it places on user participation in the production and reinterpretation of information. Blogs may allow more voices and more information to be disseminated to more people, but this ideal of equality is in competition with the ideal of excellence; that is, not all information production is of the best quality and librarians must be prepared to assist patrons in discerning the quality of information sources. While this activity is in the traditional domain of librarianship, the incredible proliferation of unmediated information available on the web demands a greater awareness of media literacy. Librarians must also take a greater role in educating users about the privacy implications of sharing information on the web and work with vendors to establish standards for the protection of privacy.