But, I want it NOW...

I think that one of the most interesting things about library 2.0 (or our more modern library systems) is just how much more integrated they are into the community. Like most people, I grew up in a time and place where the library was a stand alone building that I only visited when I needed something and never really thought about as a place to go and "hang out" because we would inevitably be shushed or asked to leave and socialize elsewhere. These days, that is far from the norm! Libraries are places of activity, of exchange of information, and and community centers in many ways. I think that libraries are finally becoming what they were always meant to be.

I love the idea of a "library that lets," a library that allows and is more interested in providing information, space, and opportunity for the people it serves than being museum-like, dusty, and vacant. Libraries and librarians are adapting to the constant changes in societies and really rolling with the punches- granted they have to if they want to keep their doors open- but it's also a great accomplishment for a field that was so traditionally structured and organized. It seems that despite the difficulties in keeping up with new technology and new ways to access information, that librarians are willing to do whatever they can in order to provide the nest service and best access to information that they can for their patrons.

One of the ways that I have seen advances of technology encouraging the evolution of the library has been in the ways that we are visualizing information. I remember working at the circulation desk for my undergraduate library and one of the librarians showing me the AquaBrowser (example below) tool being used by another library.

At the time, we were all fascinated by this method of browsing and very impressed with the technology that made it possible. Fortunately or unfortunately (I'm not sure which) I have not seen that technology appearing on more library websites. It's unclear to me whether it just never "caught on" with the public, or if it was simply too complex, too problematic, or too expensive to put in place. I think that unless it was a technology that could "learn" from the users it could be more frustrating than helpful in the long run.

Being an individual with a background in art, I am a very visual person and I found myself quite drawn to the design and spread of the AquaBrowser. MindMap is a tool that I have used myself when trying to visualize ideas or plans of my own that were non-linear and it was very similar in its core structure to the AquaBrowser. If there was a way for libraries to bring this mapping technology into the library system I would most definitely explore it. Being able to bridge connections between things often allows for an unexpected and valuable layer of knowledge. I, for instance, would have never really known which of my FaceBook friends knew each other if I had not played with the friend-wheel app. You might think, "well, they're your friends how did you not know they knew each other!?!," but it's not as if we regularly question whom our friends are acquainted with- at least I don't. I do wonder how the software color codes the friends though- based on networks perhaps(?).

The added bonus is that it's just PRETTY to look at!

The most impressive references in this discussion of open access and access to information were the two TEDTalk videos with Lawrence Lessig (one at that link, the other here). Larry made so many fascinating points regarding the modern applications of creativity and several fantastic arguments for less stringent policies and laws surrounding copyrights. Larry's point that artist choice is the key to open availability is one-hundred percent right. We have to rely on the creators of the original content we reference in new creative works to be open and supportive of the creative endeavors of their fans and the public and I think we are getting much closer to realizing that dream.

In recent years, many (not all), recording artists have welcomed and accepted services like Spotify. Artists are coming to realize that their profits will no longer be tied to the sale of physical albums- everything is digital. When a new album is released we want instant access to it. We want to have those copies on our computers and on our phones so that we can take it with us on anywhere- at home, in the car, in between classes, on our breaks. Music is a huge part of our culture and historically has always had a place at the heart of not only our solitary activities but of our social endeavors. With Spotify- every time a track is played by a user, the artist is making a profit (a very small one- but it accumulates I'm sure). Consumers don't have to buy full albums, and they don't have to listen to any album in its entirety. We build playlists- mixes, and we share them with our friends- we subscribe to one another and we share all of the music. It's truly brilliant, and it's free for PC- a small monthly subscription for the flexibility of mobile use.

My own Spotify account as I listen to Lindsey Stirling (she actually came to fame ON YouTube)

The best thing about services like Spotify is that independent artists- singer/songwriters and some of the artists on the periphery of the pop culture spectrum are also made available (talk about opening the long-tail!) I personally have not bought a CD or digital album in well over a year. I don't need to anymore- and I LOVE IT. I actually don't even pay the monthly subscription, but I imagine it won't be much longer before I do. Spotify has completely changed my music listening habits. I have playlists of "New to Me" artists that I have either stumbled upon by the related artists information or from family and friends who have suggested them. I follow my friends playlist "cheer up... if you want to" and hear an assortment of music I know and don't know. The trick is- only artists can opt to make their music available on this service. The service provides a VAST amount of digital music and the collection is growing all the time, but it will take participation in order to allow it to become kind of the Wikipedia of digital music. Recently there was a user-related campaign that led up to releasing the Pink Floyd collection. It seems as though there is a lot of pressure on artists to adopt this approach to making their music widely available and still retaining a profit. It's great for the users, and it seems to be working for the artists (otherwise it would have flopped a long time ago.)

We can all only hope that YouTube will eventually release its firm grasp of copyright laws and once again allow the users the space to create the content that they want to create. Larry Lessig made a great point when he discussed the fact that mash-ups, remixes, pastiches, and parodies are individual and unique creative endeavors. Even though users reference more official media or resources- as always the greatest form of flattery is IMITATION. In order to reach new levels of innovation we have to build upon what we already know and that is what a vast number of YouTubers are set out to do. Lessig really drove this argument home for me when he stated (I paraphrase) Our lives are built on sharing activities- socializing- and we need spaces of "fair use" in order to relate to the world in the most natural way.

We can all hope that the future of our digital media progresses closer and closer to Lessig's vision of an ecology of commitment to the values: freedom, community, limited regulation, and respect for the creator.