Should libraries open their catalogs to their users? (Post #4)
October 26, 2008 by Site Admin
Should libraries allow their users to add content to their catalogs? I don’t think it should be an unmonitored free-for-all, but I think it is possible to allow users to interact with the catalog (such as giving their reviews of materials they have used, or giving ratings).
When a user adds their review to material in the catalog, other users can see what other people liked or didn’t like about the material. A parent, for example, can see what others are saying about a title their children are interested in reading. The catalog records can be searched by any text in the record, so this can also be useful when a user is not sure what a book is called or can only remember part of the story.
This can also be a great thing for people who work in libraries. This can be a great way to find out which materials are being used and if the users are happy with the collection. The library does not have to go out and do a formal survey or evaluation, and the users can leave a comment or not. If the library sees that there are a lot of negative comments in a particular area, then it can help them reevaluate their collection.
It is a big change in how libraries have traditionally done things, but if we stay stagnant and do not reflect our users’ needs, we will no longer be relevant and will become dusty old buildings that house books.