The Internet holds a ton of information, and is constantly
expanding. Each day, users create more content, which can be lost in the great
sea of information out there. Sites that allow bookmarking and tagging
information, articles, and sites important/interesting to specific users allows
the users to hold onto these bits of the Internet for future access. These two
abilities, while similar, allow us to categorize and retrieve certain types of
information.
- Bookmarks
- Store locations of previously viewed information. If you select a bookmark, it will take you to the information source.
- Tags
- Help organize content by taking stock of the content within the information source.
How this helps in a
library:
Melissa L. Rethlefsen’s
article Tags Help Make Libraries Del.icio.us effectively argues that this new technology (bookmarking and tagging) effect libraries positively. Libraries that have implemented sites like
LibraryThing is another resource that has been used by libraries to help patrons and socialize their catalog. Delaney Library of Delaney College, Granville, Australia, has found that LibraryThing gives students better access to the catalog, which encourages reading. Also, the review and comment functions on these programs offer insight to what the reader/researcher thinks of the source. StevenB over at ACRLog writes about implementation of a similar program for the University of Pennsylvania (PennTags).
Bookmarking and tagging, while new technological concepts, seem to complement what libraries are intended to do. This works within the bounds of limited budgets, and patrons with limited information literacies. Not only does it help patrons, but librarians can also use these informal research resources to communicate and share with each other - allowing for professional development and research within limited free time, and with a social aspect.
Using bookmarks in Libraries using Delicious is a super cool idea, and since I'm new to Delicious I love learning about ways which people have been using it. This reminds me of Professor Sweeney's article which I read last semester [Fugitive Filing: ready reference technologies as cultural artifacts]. They had a bundle of index cards, shards of paper with recipes, and little known facts about their town that would not appear in ready reference internet sites, but that were often enough asked about. This would be a super useful way of making their library's personal holdings (or, the librarians' personal recommendations lists) available for their patrons.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed the opportunity to browse other student's Delicious accounts to see what they have found - it feels like I only have to do half the work that I used to in order to find something new. For instance, thank you for posting the link to LibraryThing. I've loaded it to my Delicious, and already signed up.
I agree! It makes sharing SO much easier! I had never heard of Delicious prior to this course, but will definitely be using it henceforth. It's a really great resource! Also, I too thought back to Dr. Sweeney's article, and there are even mentions of wikis being used as such ready references.
DeleteThe article on delicious being used by libraries were interesting. I'm curious to know how many libraries actually use tools like delicious, goodreads and librarything in a way that engages patrons. Delicious can be a great networking tool but I think it requires a level of internet savvy that some patrons would need help with.
ReplyDeleteIt's also interesting you mention budget. I NEVER thought of these tools within the context but that is such a great point you bring up. Most libraries are so strapped and new projects are often interpreted as "money we don't have". I think more libraries would be interested in adopting these tech tools once they understand that it is low cost and only requires a little training.
I feel as though a lot of these technologies are not widely known. I had never heard of Delicious before starting this Social Media and Informatics course. These are great resources that, as you said, require little training. I definitely think there should be some sort of email listserv that delivers news of these new resources - maybe there is.
Delete"Del.icio.us" - i remember back in the day when delicious.com was del.icio.us instead....there's a throwback!
ReplyDeletethanks for pointing out Melissa L. Rethlefsen’s article. i like to think that bookmarking and tagging positively affects libraries, too. if nothing else, it makes organizing and retrieving data an almost everyday part of people's lives. it hopefully makes them more effective searchers when it comes to library information as well. in fact, if libraries use tools like Delicious and Librarything it might not only help people be better acquainted with searching for information in the library, it might actually make libraries more a part of people's everyday lives. win/win!
the only concern i have with using third-party apps/vendors in libraries is patron privacy. with all these third-parties in libraries these days, it may be that libraries are losing the war for patron privacy.