To me, Library 2.0 (or Web 2.0) is all about collaboration. In the past, The Library distributed information to the public through materials, online catalogs and informational websites. There was no opportunity for the user to contribute anything. Now, Library 2.0 provides the users an opportunity to particpate in this distribution of information by allowing them to review or "tag" items in an online catalog, add their own content to library websites by uploading pictures, video or text. I like how this shifts the perception of the library from an institution that is unapproachable and all-knowing to a place where information is shared among all users.
As a cataloger, I am often amused by how many of my colleagues villianize the concept of user tagging in our OPACs. There is definitely an attitude out there that we know what is best because we know the controlled vocabulary, we know AACR2 and that there is no way that just ANY user could do what we do. The very idea! It would be chaos at the library!
Um...sorry, but no. I think our users have a good idea what they are looking for when they come to the library but they get frustrated when their search terms don't match our controlled vocabulary. For example, if you come to the library looking for a cookbook, is the first search term that comes to mind really "Cookery"? Not so much. If users were able to tag items themselves, then a new vocabulary would emerge that is more useable to our patrons. Want a cookbook? Simply enter "cooking" or "cookbook" or "barbecue" or "BBQ". They would ALL produce results. What a novel idea, right?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Introduction
Hello,
If you didn't already guess, I am a Technical Services Librarian at a public library in North Texas. I am excited about completing the "23 Things" challenge and learning more about Web 2.0 tools. I already feel pretty comfortable (or already use) about half of the things on our agenda, but there are others I have never even heard of! Unfortunately, our city's IT dept. (also known as BIG BROTHER) blocks most of these tools from our work stations, so I will be playing at home for the most part.
Looking forward to this summer!
If you didn't already guess, I am a Technical Services Librarian at a public library in North Texas. I am excited about completing the "23 Things" challenge and learning more about Web 2.0 tools. I already feel pretty comfortable (or already use) about half of the things on our agenda, but there are others I have never even heard of! Unfortunately, our city's IT dept. (also known as BIG BROTHER) blocks most of these tools from our work stations, so I will be playing at home for the most part.
Looking forward to this summer!
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