What is the future of Web 2.0? Web 3.0?

To really understand the progression of the "web," and how it will continue to evolve, we need to establish a common understanding of what these 'versioned' phases imply.

Web 1.0 - The original development and release of the world wide web in 1993 presented the Internet traveling user with a very static interaction with hosted content.  In fact, to say interaction at all is a stretch.  A user was basically limited to reading and discovery through hyperlinks.  Websites and information present on the Internet was posted rarely and generally served to provide topical data based on the domains interests.

Web 2.0 - This is how we most commonly identify the modern Internet that features all of the functions and intractability that we observe and utilize.  The designs are user friendly and continue to press the boundaries of creating a stimulating experience.  Collaboration, interoperability, and user modified content are the essential elements that drive this modern experience where users feel part of a community.  The Web 2.0, as it would imply, is not an updated version of the Internet or any sort of network infrastructure.  It simply establishes how developers and users have created a new landscape that presents a much more highly sophisticated realm of possibility.

So, what comes next?  Web 3.0?  The next major phase of the web is disputed by IT professionals.  It could include significant updates in technical infrastructure, content creation, content delivery, personalization, or it may even include first-generation technologies we can't even predict yet.  One such theory includes the potential development of a "metaverse," where physical and virtual worlds join together to create simulations and augmented realities.  While this certainly correlates with modern interest in 3D technologies, it would seem that these sorts of possibilities are a bit further down the road.

If you consider the jump from 1.0 to 2.0 was primarily the community based social interactions, it would be safe to assume that 3.0 could be a very mild advancement such as the computer generated content and delivery.  Right now we have RSS feeds and various sources that are starting to study our behavior and patterns on the Internet to deliver the most relevant user experience on a person by person basis.  That presents a significant core upgrade from simple interaction, but is not such a broad leap to require inventions and seemingly distant future possibilities.

Consensus may never be reached, and the title of Web 3.0 may have to be retroactively applied to an era once we have determined we are already past it.  As I doubt they called the world wide web 'Web 1.0' at the time of it's conception, they were more likely to coin the term after they established the fluctuation into the Web 2.0 landscape.

Then, maybe we should start evaluating what Web 4.0 will introduce?

What aspects of social media and emerging technologies could be beneficial for use by our libraries and in what ways?

As we have seen in the previous video, emerging technologies and social media can offer many benefits to today's libraries.  For example, by creating a Facebook page or engaging in Twitter, libraries are able to connect with patrons, promote library events, and reach a larger number of prospective users than by other ordinary methods. Additionally, academic libraries are experimenting with embedding library services within the Facebook page itself for a true outreach program (Dickson, 2010).

Based on research done by Terra Jacobson, many libraries are using Facebook primarily as a marketing tool, and it may be valid to assert that this is currently the best use in the library realm.  However, uses for communication from patrons or "fans," communicating library needs, and as a forum/discussion space for users may not be an ideal use at this time (Jacobson, 2011).

Dickson, A. and Holley, R. (2010),"Social networking in academic libraries: the possibilities and the concerns”, New Library World, Vol. 111(11/12), 468-479.

Jacobson, T. B.  (2011).  Facebook as a Library Tool:  Perceived vs. Actual Use.  College & Research Libraries, 72 (1), 79-90

How are traditional library models evolving with emerging technologies?

First, let’s establish an area of technology where there is very important growth happening, and that is in “open-source software.”  For those unfamiliar with OSS, it’s software that is freely available to anyone; free to download, free to distribute, free to use, free to view, free to modify, free to adapt, and free to improve.  If you’ve ever heard someone say “nothing in life is free,” they stand corrected by this community of collaborators with altruistic motivation.  When everyone from end-users to senior enterprise developers from a variety of fields are all working together and information is shared freely, you end up with highly sophisticated products that are solely geared toward service quality rather than marketing, branding, and profit seeking.  In a library industry context, OSS is like the Wikipedia of software systems and application development.  If you would like to read more about OSS in the context I am about to explore further, see the “Evergreen OSS FAQ.”

So how are libraries taking advantage of this digital parallel to their cornerstone fundamentals?  By scrapping their subscription and leased services in favor of adopting systems built on OSS backbones.  This puts more of the control in your own administration’s hands and can save a fortune in your budget.  Not only can you dictate how the software and modules will be utilized to accommodate your patrons, but you can also request modifications and improvements from the community at rates much faster than typical software applications.  OSS is also much more secure than proprietary software because you have so many eyes on the code.  This makes keeping checks and balances much easier.  With the additional budget, you can improve other services and public offerings.  While the progression to an open source system is filled with advantages technologically, it’s also exceedingly responsible as businesses and organizations from the private to the public sector are continuing to seek cost cutting opportunities.  Specific to the library industry, this migration supports core philosophies while allowing you to not only tighten your spending, but also create new services with the residual budget.

What OSS solutions should be considered then?  Evergreen, formerly “Open-ILS,” is an OSS package developed by a dedicated community of IT professionals and library industry workers.  It contains modules for circulation, cataloging, discovery, as well as a fully functional back end for the library management including staff client, reporting, and policy configuration.  Since the software is also scalable, it is used in small libraries as well as major, nationally recognized libraries with huge endowments.  CentOS is another enterprise level solution, except as a Linux distribution, it would suit your general information technology requirements.  CentOS offers a vast and growing developer community, user community, production efficiency, and issue resolution.

If you are still curious about OSS and how the effects are being felt in various industries, check out Jonathan Feldman's article, Open Source: Why Are You Still Waiting?