Okay, so I may not be a teenager, but if our assignment is to observe what Web 2.0 should be like, this is it! (If a bit busy, but that’s just my taste.) I prefer the clear organized version of Web 2.0, but if I were a teenager again, and with a PC, this might be the end all–be all of websites. In fact, I would probably never get off their site.
When the user goes the Los Angeles Public Library Website (LAPL) there is no sign of a blogging area. This may be the hardest part for the user, as they would have to navigate their way through the pages, or if they searched “comments” in the “LAPL website” or “selected all.” I figure if libraries are going to merge Web 2.0 into Library 2.0, then I think the largest demographic would be teenagers and thus, I choose the purple box on the lower left-hand corner. Besides, it had a cool looking outline of a spider-web, so I knew I was getting closer to at least something interactive and fun.
Teen web takes a second to load, but obviously becomes apparent I am the wrong demographic looking at this “moving note,” since when I was in high school I actually wrote on paper–yup, officially old. The librarians and staff at the LAPL did a great job of integrating youth blogs into the library site. When you get continual positive feedback and comments from people about your site, it must work.
The LAPL youth section not only provide sections of the web to provide youth commentary, but the library provides assistance with homework, health, college information, teen events, events for teen activist and advocacy issues, and assistance for personal problems.
Overall, the LAPL really provides a great Library 2.0 service for their youth and teens in the LA area. My one concern with not only LA, but other large city communities and Library 2.0 and youth is, what if youth and teens do not have access to a PC? How do the librarians and libraries in the community continue to use outreach programming?
Since I am not a teenager or youth, I would not use this Library 2.0 site. Although, I could certainly provide feedback. I think if I did provide feedback, one issue I would focus on, is letting them have a blog site where the students can have their own space.
I noticed that the comments were indexed under “What do you think?” and then indexed again under “You Have Spoken.” The issue with this is, it’s hard to navigate to, and then the user has to be able to read and write about imperative topics, and then read other users comments. This may be too much work for a teenager, but what do I know? Also, the last discussion was November 2007–can’t they place a new topic each month and then archive and index the comments, so they can can be observed later? It may be too much to ask, I know, but sometimes putting that little bit of extra effort comes out with stunning results.
