Delicious

Bookmarking is very useful for those who regularly visit a variety of websites. Delicious is one of the better-known bookmarking options. It enables you to quickly access websites, either by name, or by the tags you choose to assign.

For my bookmarking, I selected two financial sites that I frequently visit. I was surprised that marketwatch.com had many bookmarks and yahoo finance had very few. (Perhaps it is an undiscovered treasure trove.)

Because I tend to go back to a very select group of websites, bookmarking is not something I have used a lot. However, Delicious makes it easy, and is worth pursuing.

Here is the link to my list of bookmarks: http://delicious.com/FPLJ

(I included a reference to Delicious when I taught the computer class on using the internet.)

Tagging

If we always had the computer database available, tagging could replace a structured system of subject headings. There are many sections of any subject heading cataloging system that are not intuitive to patrons. For example, finance is in Dewey 300 and business is in Dewey 600: most users say business and finance, necessitating a longer reference interview to discern more precisely what they want. Self-help is another common "lay term" or tag that is spread through many areas of Dewey (and LC is similar). Tagging provides a means for everyone to add terms without requiring revisions to a structured system. The current buzzword can immediately be applied.
When the computer is not available to assist in searching for and retrieving tags, a structured system is necessary to locate items. And the tags must be tied to a physical location of an item (unless we are dealing only with electronic resources).

Instant Messaging

Instant messaging is a great tool when "instant" is required. The challenge is that all parties must be using the same system.

Within an organization, it works well. Between organizations or individuals, a little pre-planning is required. This is not unlike the PC sharing software, where parties must select a software tool and both log on.

For interactions between library staff and patrons, there are certainly situations where instant messaging would be helpful and appropriate. Examples would be health sciences, business, military, and similar time-sensitive cases.

In the public library setting, patrons may desire instant responses but rarely are these essential. Looking at our library, I see that we already have cases where phone calls are coming in to the Ask Us desk while staff is handling "in-person" patrons. Adding instant messaging to the mix would not seem to improve service - unless there is staff dedicated to telephone, email, IM and other electronic reference.

Digg is an innovative example of supply and demand: the users provide the supply and define the demand by their control of the ratings. I do notice the Digg button when I view articles on websites but have never voted.

Like search engines, there is no formal search term structure or subject headings. In the library, we tend to be more constrained by subject headings and defined categories. This is sometimes advantageous, but less intuitive to our users.

The voting on Digg is analogous to our weeding process: if no one is interested, the item is discarded. However, we move in a much slower time frame.

While I found some great articles (such as one on tablet computers), and I got a chuckle out of "What did the Google phone say to the iPhone?", a lot of the entries seemed superficial. Confession time: I read Newsweek and Wall Street Journal instead of People magazine, and I read more nonfiction that fiction. I understand that entertainment is an important component of life, and Digg could be entertaining.

I was surprised to encounter commerically sponsored entries (such as AVG anti-virus) as I did not know this was part of Digg.

So should the library create a Digg account and recommend articles? In my opinion, there are more effective ways to promote our services.