But Will Your Patrons Dig It?

January 24th, 2005

In my most recent Internet Spotlight column, I discuss how libraries can incorporate community-based readers advisory into the library catalog. My thought process was based upon using the patrons who take books (and other materials) out of your library to advise other patrons on the same. Who better to recommend books to patrons than other patrons (and librarians of course, but ny not both?) There’s a lot more in the column about implementation and other uses, but for purposes of this post, you get the gist of it.

Today, I came across Digg, which fits into the same theory base. From the FAQ:

“What is digg?
Digg is a technology news website that gives editorial control back to the community. Most technology websites allow users to suggest content by submitting links or stories to an editor. If the editor believes the story to be relevant to the masses, he or she moves the story to the homepage. With digg, users also submit links for review. But rather than allowing an editor to decide which links go on the homepage, the users do.

How does digg work?
Lets start off by looking at the diagram below. (1) The user submits a story to the “hardware” category. (2) The story is then filed into the “dig” area of hardware. (3) Users on the site see the story, and several of them click “dig this story” - giving the article +15 digs. (4) Due to its popularity, digg removes the story from the dig area, and promotes it to the home and category pages.”

So, think about this system in your catalog as it relates to community-based readers advisory. A book is located on the catalog. Next to the summary and a review from Library Journal or Kirkus, there is a link that says “Dig” (with an explanation, of course) which will lead the patron to reviews of the book (or just thumbs up or down) by community members and librarians. There would also be a populated list of the most “digs” within certain subject headings, genres, etc.

I’m more and more intrigued by adding a more community base to the library catalog. Jenny discussed social-bookmarking software at length the other day, and “Dig” could be yet another way to put it to use.

But would your patrons (heck, your administrators) “Dig it?” (link via Dan Ostermayer)

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