David Weinberger presented the concept of a library as a platform. He argued that viewing the library as a platform has advantages by providing a unifying framework, taking social networks seriously, and increasing the value of the library. As a platform, the library accumulates value by enabling unpredictable uses and providing resources that let others create and flourish. The library should think outward by embracing both analog and digital resources, opening everything, using open standards, and enabling difference for every user everywhere.

1. Library as Platform
David Weinberger Ph.D.
self@evident.com
www.JohoTheBlog.com
dweinberger@twitter
Harvard Library Innovation Lab
Co-Director
Harvard Berkman Center
for Internet & Society
Senior Researcher
Internet Librarian
Monterey, CA
October, 2012

2. Library as Platform
Hugh Rundle Barbara
John Fister
Palfrey Tim O’Reilly
Not an entirely new idea
But with some advantages

3. Library as Platform
But with some advantages
Unifying framework
Social networks taken
seriously
Increases the value of the
library

4. Platform vs...

6. SW Platform
App App
Tools Services
API
Data

7. SW Platform
People Works
ideas
Tools Services
Data

8. Networked knowledge
(cc) Striatic @ flickr.com

11. (cc) thomas23 @ flickr

12. Living things
Plants Animals
Invertebrates Vertebrates
Reptiles Birds Mammals

13. (c) Abelardo Morell

15. (cc) Howzey @ Flickr
Networked science

19. Agreement does not scale

20. Fur?
EGGS???
Four Bird
feet? beak??

21. Platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Watermole

22. Scientist Scientist Scientist
Platypus
watermole
Ornithorhynchus
paradoxus
Taxonomies
Names EOL.org

23. Social learning
(cc) mizzD @ flickr.com

24. Thesis
Software developers now live
in the fastest, most
efficient and effective
ecosystem for rapid learning
that ever existed

28. Lessons from Developers
Humility
Generosity
Iteration
Public learning

29. Photos: Abundance without order
cc steve kay @ flickr

31. Living things
Plants Animals
Invertebrates Vertebrates
Reptiles Birds Mammals

32. Red
1942
Rosie the
Riveter

33. Messiness
scales
meaning

34. It’s a real problem
Echo Echo
Echo
Echo
Echo
Echo
Echo
Echo
Echo
EchoEcho
Echo Echo
Echo

37. IAM A
IAMA ...

39. Echo

40. Library as platform
(cc) MandoLux @ flickr.com

42. Accumulates value
Enables unpredictable uses
Provides resources that let others create and
flourish

43. Think outward
Analog + Digital
Open it all
Social objects
Open Standards
Enable difference

45. To every user everywhere
Everything libraries know

46. Thank you.
David Weinberger
Blog: www . JohoTheBlog . Com
Email: self@evident . com
Twitter: dweinberger