Both Web 2.0 and the movement of the Baby Boomer generation into retirement represent big changes in our society and most certainly in our libraries but are the two phenomenons more intricately connected to each other? In my paper, I discuss the possibilities that Web 2.0 presents for serving the new senior citizens and whether or not this technology should be the ultimate focus of that service.
Boomers are more active and plan on keeping up with their faster-pace lifestyle both physically and mentally (Dempsey 39, 2007). They will have more leisure time and more money which they will want to spend on travel and other leisure activities.
Also, because boomers want to keep their brains active and are already quite familiar with technology having had to work with computers in their careers, they will want to be able to put their skills to work through new jobs or volunteering. In short, the research shows that Boomers want to work, play, connect, and contribute. My paper states that to meet those demands, we will have to rethink everything from collection development to outreach to basic human interaction and so the answer cannot be as simple as one resource or one technique. Web 2.0, though, can be our right-hand man through it all if we know which ways to apply it.
My paper defines specific Web 2.0 applications such as flickr.com, social networking sites such as eons.com, and user contributed sites such as youtube.com and matches them up with the needs Boomers will have to work, play and contribute.
In a Parade newspaper I found lying on the table during my break at work, the cover showed actor Drew Carey surrounded by gadgets and headlines about how to use technology to manage different parts of your life, for instance, how to meet friends online. The most interesting article, though, was called “You Have the Power” and led the reader through tips on how to influence the political climate and opinions through technology. The advice was pretty old hat: email you Senator! start a blog!; but I did find it interesting that they promoted making your own video or political commercial and posting it through sites such as YouTube. The article stated that a homemade video posted for free could potentially be viewed more times than a paid television ad. Can we say viral? Can we say “Obama Girl”? This is an intriguing concept and something to think about. Will a few videos garner much attention and change minds, soften hardened hearts this presidential election season? Or will the web be flooded with home-videos either mud-slinging or praising candidates? More than that, will it actually change anything? In this day where there is so much content that anyone who believes in anything can find a website that agrees with them, will a Republican sit down to watch a Democratic YouTube debate with the intention of actually reconsidering their stances? Will a left-winger read a right-sing blog and suspend judgment for 200 words? Time will tell. In the meantime, look out for more bikini-clad women lip-synching about their favorite presidential hopeful.
