Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the Future of Libraries

A couple of key phrases that really hit me in some on the perspectives were:
1. "Iceburg" - that everyone will expect everything to be available digitally
I am finding this to be true in my reference practicum. Students regularly ask if a book is available digitally or online in full text so they do not have to physically visit the library and check out the book. This was a particularly popular request during the last week of classes when students were feverishly trying to finish up research papers and didn't have the time to wait for inter-library loan or trying to find a book through WorldCat.
2. "Temporary" - that librarians will still be tour guides
This is so true. Frequently, students mention how they have searched for hours and hours to find scholarly articles but didn't know how to use the library's search resources and so came up with virtually nothing. As a last resort and often frustrated, they ask a reference librarian and are amazed when they realize how easily and quickly a search can be performed if they know what to do. One student at my practicum said she searched for 7 hours and found only 7 valid articles. I performed a search that was easy for her to follow and came up with 6 relevant full-text scholarly articles in one 5 minute search. Needless to say, she was ecstatic and wished she had come to the reference desk sooner. Librarians are still necessary in this day and age, and possibly even more so, when there is so much information it becomes ever more difficult to navigate the possibilities.