reading notes 11/29

Reichardt, Weblogs: their use...-  I think this is a good article to show how useful blogs can be in the library. "The simplicity of blogging and the practicality of putting much of our shared information on a Web site, allows for easy  searchability and up-to-the-minute awareness for all team members" (110). This is exactly why we use a blog for the reference department at the library I work at. Everyone can add to it and it keeps everyone up-to-date if, for example, there's something wrong with the printer, or there's a specific assignment a lot of people have been coming in about. The searchability is definitely a plus, as is the automatic archive.  I've never heard of students using a blog for group projects, but I guess that could work.

Allan, Using a Wiki... - "Library instruction wikis have two chief uses: the sharing of knowledge and the ability to cooperate in creating resources, such as informational handouts and guides." This sounds like a great resource more libraries should try! I know some of the professors at the college I work at use wikis for class, but I think using them at the library makes perfect sense. It seems to me this would be similar to using google docs. I'm sold on the idea of implementing the use of wikis in the reference department (and perhaps others as well!).

Xan Arch, Creating the Academic Library folksonomy- I like the idea of tagging; it sounds really useful, but I am confused as to where the tags show up (databases are mentioned, but could this be in the catalog as well? Where else?). I am unsure of how this differs from a subject lib guide which would also contain links to useful subject-specific sites. 


Wales, How a Retag Band...-  I cannot believe that wikipedia has surpassed NY Times! That is crazy! I didn't know it was a nonprofit. I like that. I agree that neutrality is really important. I'm curious about wikibooks...I wonder how far that has gone!