Library Catalogues of the Future: A Social Space and Collaborative Tool?

Abstract

Next-generation catalogues are providing opportunities for library professionals and users to interact, collaborate, and enhance core library functions. Technology, innovation, and creativity are all components that are merging to create a localized, online social space that brings our physical library services and experiences into an online environment. While patrons are comfortable creating user-generated information on commercial Web sites and social media Web sites, library professionals should be exploring alternative methods of use for these tools within the library setting. Can the library catalogue promote remote readers' advisory services and act as a localized "Google"? Will patrons or library professionals be the driving force behind user-generated content within our catalogues? How can cataloguers be sure that the integrity of their bibliographic records is protected while inviting additional data sources to display in our catalogues? As library catalogues bring our physical library services into the online environment, catalogues also begin to encroach or "mash-up" with other areas of librarianship that have not been part of a cataloguer's expertise. Using library catalogues beyond their traditional role as tools for discovery and access raises issues surrounding the expertise of library professionals and the benefits of collaboration between frontline and backroom staff.

Adult Readers’ Advisory Services through Public Library Websites

“…Readers' advisory, and conversations about books, may also be occurring within next-generation library catalogs. 52 Further research is needed to examine the state of practice in these additional online venues.…”

Social Media and Readers’ Advisory

“…Tarulli and Spiteri extended this concept by suggesting that catalog enhancements could also include recorded book discussions, perhaps led by a RA specialist. 8 Some of the discussion about using online tools for RA has focused on nonlibrary sites. Trott discussed the implementation of RA in the digital world, noting that online RA sites typically involved "online book recommendations and had a live chat and email based readers' advisory service."…”

Readers' Advisory: In the Readers’ Own Words: How User Content in the Catalog Can Enhance Readers’ Advisory Services

“…The RA librarian generally has a list of predetermined questions that assists in deciding which books to suggest, and when the reader leaves, the conversation is documented by a statistic, with little or no feedback or follow-up with that patron. 1 Reading preferences can be a very personal experience: Some readers may prefer accessing a readers' advisor remotely rather than face-to-face, or to only have a book conversation with other community members, rather than with library staff. Other readers might be reluctant to discuss their reading interests with librarians, possibly because of shyness, a lack of awareness that some librarians are trained to provide this type of service, a perception of librarians as authority figures, assumptions that a librarian of a different age, gender, culture may not relate to them, and a fear of having their reading interests dismissed or judged.…”