The "Icebergs" of 2.0

Rick Anderson of the University of Nevada at Reno library system proposes an analogy where we are in a "library boat" trying to row toward Web 2.0 and faced with the disastrous "icebergs" of 1)the "just in case" collection, 2)reliance on user education, and 3)the "come to us" model of library service. It's a fun and interesting analogy, and he makes good points. But to continue with this analogy a little bit, there's more to it than that. As an excellent librarian just pointed out to me, we're in the Titanic, not a rowboat, and you can't turn a ship that size on a dime--these things take time! And while consensus in a rowboat may be relatively easy (although I doubt that; everyone's got an opinion!), forging common goals and plans gets really tough when you're on the Titanic! And that's just among the crew! What about all the passengers (aka the customers)on all the various decks, from the upper-deck technophiles with all the matched luggage (MP3 players, fabulous computers, broadband, iPhones, etc.)to the souls in steerage with little more than a mouse for company? Ok, I'm getting silly now, but it is a very complicated process that will take lots of time. Maybe if we stay alert and focused, keep in radio contact with other ships, consult our charts and look out the window, embrace the workable new without sacrificing the lifeboats, and above all, keep our heads and not panic, we can keep from foundering on any icebergs! (Please see iceberg collision video below)