A Library 2.0 experience - Insite Mapping

I was involved in a planning discussion today (with not my everyday work colleagues) facilitated by a consultant using a method called Insite Mapping. It was intended as a knowledge sharing session to inform future planning of the library by incorporating the working experiences of the library staff ... based upon a storytelling strategy. It was not meant to create a list of problems that would be solved, but through a couple of these sessions the facilitator expected to identify a list of themes/issues which should be considered in the next stage of planning by the management/representative group. What are the real issues being faced every day in the library - traditionally library related, or not? Using this method, it was hoped that things that would not normally make a formal agenda, finally would.

The discussion which developed smacked of all the "library 2.0" issues/concepts I've been reading about ... who are the clients the library is not serving as well as it could? what are the real issues our clients are facing using the library? how are the different campuses facing different issues with their different client groups? what are the things stopping staff from delivering the service they really want to? Although the issues weren't all technology related, it was amazing how often technology came into it.

Time will tell whether the session will have any impact on the planning - some had doubts -but I do take hope from the session's synergism with my two current areas of interest - EBLIP and more recently, good old Library 2.0. Decision making based upon rich evidence, including 'insights derived from working experience' (Booth p.38), and a 2.0 fresh look at things.