Interesting report, Richard, but it's also very easy to make light of the
Dewey Decimal or any other system of arranging materials without thinking of
HOW that materials (books and other physical items) would be arranged if not
in some orderly fashion. Tagging is already here in libraries (check out the
Ann Arbor Public Library <http://www.aadl.org> for some interesting goings
on. Find a record and click on "Card catalog image." You can add your own
notes!)
What's interesting in the report to me is the response to the question:
"Does tagging create problems?" The response included the following: "Tags
work because they're so simple, but because they're so simple, they can be
ambiguous." The English language is notorious for being ambiguous and that's
why information professionals have worked for years developing "controlled
vocabularies" to help overcome the ambiguity. Nobody has the perfect answer
(both Sears and LC subject headings are far from perfect) but I think
subject headings do help.
Anyway, I think bringing up the Dewey Decimal system in this context is a
bit of red herring. In a library we use classification systems to arrange
items on the shelf. In the catalog (and on the Internet) we use subject
headings, keywords, tags or anything else we can think of to help users find
the information they need. This is library science 101.
Tom Kaun
On 2/2/07, Richard Trzicky <Dick_Trzicky@gilbert.k12.az.us> wrote:
>
> Netters--
> Check out this Pew report (pdf file) on Tagging. You may have to copy and
> paste the url into the browser--not sure if it will come over hot linked.
>
> Richard Trzicky
> Teacher-Librarian/Department Head
> Highland High School Library
> 480.813.0051 ext. 4343
> fax 480.507.1412
> dick_trzicky@gilbert.k12.az.us
> ----- Forwarded by Dick Trzicky/GUSD on 02/02/07 08:07 AM -----
>
> --
Thomas T. Kaun
Library Media Teacher
Bessie Chin Library @ Redwood High School
395 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, CA 94939
tomkaun@gmail.com | http://rhslibrary.org
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