Tuesday, May 20, 2008

10, which is a Thing: Library Wikis, Library Blogs

Library wikis seem pretty useful for those who want to brush up on their reference techniques. I was thrilled with our Reference Newsletter and its easily-found compendium of info that I'd formerly been saving up in backlogs on my email. I do want the tags in alphabetical order -- I thought that sort of thing was automatic. I don't remember ever seeing a journal or blog without tags arranged alphabetically.

Yes, I can search it by plugging in a word, but that's what tags are FOR.

From the Blogging Libraries Wiki list, I note that Fairfax County Library does have a moderated blog. Fortunately for whoever moderates, there isn't any discussion. I didn't see any blogs with discussion, and some of them had comments turned off. This seems like marginal use in the magical 2.0 interactive universe. Okay, wait, Ann Arbor had one comment.

Book blogs are voted most likely to be kept updated. Cincy's reminded me of a non-fiction book that I want for our collection. There were libraries on the list that were noted as "not updated since . . .", and other dead ones that had yet to be noted. This leads me to suspect a lack of staff and lack of response as culprits.

The Gold Coast Public Library's blog had useful information in it, like a post about Economic Stimulus Refund email scam and the fact that firewalls need to be disabled for Reference USA and Morningstar access. Plus! "The Free Web vs. Library Databases." There's a post that should be on every library's page. Yay for Gold Coast!

No comments: