One of the library-related web 2.0 projects I have been most impressed by in general is the Flickr Commons. It has been up and running for two years now and contains a vast collection of photographs from libraries and archives all over the world, all made available via Flickr. It began as a pilot project with the Library of Congress (whose web 2.0 activities are particularly impressive in general), and has since grown to include 32 institutions including the US National Archives, New York Public Library, National Galleries of Scotland, the National Maritime Museum, and LSE Library. It describes itself as having two aims: to increase access to publicly-held photography collections, and to provide a way for the general public to contribute information and thereby increase the knowledge about the people, places and events in those photos. I heard a talk from Michelle Springer of the Library of Congress at ALA last summer where she described how participation in the Flickr Commons had benefited the library, including demonstrating how their catalogue records have been enhanced with information contributed by Flickr users.
I think the Flickr Commons is a fantastic resource, and I've promoted it a bit to readers here at the VHL, as there is so much there for US historians. I think it's also a wonderful example of how libraries and web 2.0 sites can work together to really promote and increase access to resources, not only to their traditional users but reaching out to a worldwide community of web users.
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