Social Networking via WorldCat
I read an interesting press release about WorldCat allowing user comments in from Open Worldcat. The records are not actually within the WorldCat bib records; however, within the full record there are links that will lead you to them. Here's a snippet of the email received yesterday:
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FirstSearch users can contribute reviews, notes to WorldCat
Library users and non-cataloging library professionals are now able to contribute information to a WorldCat record through the OCLC FirstSearch service.
Anyone may add personal reviews, factual notes and tables of contents to the record for a particular library-held item. For instance, family members can add notes to the records of genealogical materials about their lineage, or community members may comment on digitally preserved photographs or documents of local historic importance.
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My first thoughts are about editorial review--what if the information is inaccurate? Here's another quote from the press release:
"Guidelines for content contributions are provided, and OCLC monitors all submissions. (Note that contributed content is only associated with—not directly applied to—the authoritative metadata in WorldCat.)"
I should probably read the guidelines for contribution before I take a stance. The techno-librarian in me says--wow, cool...my librarian old-school mentality says--just because we can do it doesn't mean we should. This feature is not new for OCLC as it is used in Open Worldcat (not to mention the popular Wikipedia.org).
When libraries spend thousands of dollars in proprietary subscription databases and vendors add features and content I can find on the Web I can feel the hair on my arms stand up. I think Gale did this with Lit Resource Center with the link to Authors on the road (or something like that) and I need to check if it is still there. The link was placed on the home page and lead out to the open and free web.
We are spending so much time trying to educate folks on the differences between proprietary databases--that has been placed under editorial scrutiny and content found on the "free and open" Web--now we have a merging of the two--and library are paying big bucks for this material.
I'm not saying there isn't a place for the type of social networking that Web sites like Wikipedia offer--but don't expect me to pay thousands of dollars for features that I can get on the open Web. The lines are getting a bit blurry and I don't like it.
By the way--speaking of social networking...my blog is now open to your comments...I would love to hear from you.
Paula
________________________
FirstSearch users can contribute reviews, notes to WorldCat
Library users and non-cataloging library professionals are now able to contribute information to a WorldCat record through the OCLC FirstSearch service.
Anyone may add personal reviews, factual notes and tables of contents to the record for a particular library-held item. For instance, family members can add notes to the records of genealogical materials about their lineage, or community members may comment on digitally preserved photographs or documents of local historic importance.
________________________
My first thoughts are about editorial review--what if the information is inaccurate? Here's another quote from the press release:
"Guidelines for content contributions are provided, and OCLC monitors all submissions. (Note that contributed content is only associated with—not directly applied to—the authoritative metadata in WorldCat.)"
I should probably read the guidelines for contribution before I take a stance. The techno-librarian in me says--wow, cool...my librarian old-school mentality says--just because we can do it doesn't mean we should. This feature is not new for OCLC as it is used in Open Worldcat (not to mention the popular Wikipedia.org).
When libraries spend thousands of dollars in proprietary subscription databases and vendors add features and content I can find on the Web I can feel the hair on my arms stand up. I think Gale did this with Lit Resource Center with the link to Authors on the road (or something like that) and I need to check if it is still there. The link was placed on the home page and lead out to the open and free web.
We are spending so much time trying to educate folks on the differences between proprietary databases--that has been placed under editorial scrutiny and content found on the "free and open" Web--now we have a merging of the two--and library are paying big bucks for this material.
I'm not saying there isn't a place for the type of social networking that Web sites like Wikipedia offer--but don't expect me to pay thousands of dollars for features that I can get on the open Web. The lines are getting a bit blurry and I don't like it.
By the way--speaking of social networking...my blog is now open to your comments...I would love to hear from you.
Paula
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