Tagging is yet another way to categorically organize blog entries, photos, music, books, and various other media. I just went through and tagged ("labeled," in Blogger) my previous blog entries to quickly be able to reference each entry a specific theme or topic arose in. Tagging is ubiquitous on the web. On my local public library's website, users can save or tag items for check-out, either for quick reference at a later time (I have saved lists entitled "Books to Check Out," "CDs to Check Out," etc.) or in assisting themselves or other patrons with finding titles that may suit their interests. For instance, I decided to search for a popular audio item (Taylor Swift's second album, "Fearless") certain to have been reviewed or tagged, which resulted in the unsurprising "country" and "taylor," along with the hilarious, unsubtle "blah." Out of curiosity, I clicked on "blah," figuring this to be a tag utilized by one individual user, and sure enough, found this to link to titles by other country recording artists. I think it's safe to deduce that specific user is not a country music fan. For someone with similar tastes, this particular tag would be useful in advising on titles to avoid (assuming "blah" is unfavorable!). The converse effect can be assumed for titles tagged as "awesome," "enthralling," or "inspiring." Tagging and reviewing products on Amazon (or any other online retailer offering these capabilities, for that matter) serves the same basic function.
Delicious is a tool I haven't previously used, understood, or cared about, to be quite frank. I was skeptical, but after giving it a cursory once-over, I think I may love it. A problem I have constantly come across this past year after beginning to use Chrome as my browser is not having access to my bookmarks when using another computer where I've had to use a different browser. When it's been one of my family's computers (we have an old desktop, my wife's laptop, and a netbook), the solution has been simple: install Chrome and sync my Google account so that my bookmarks are all right there. (I also did this with my work computer at my old job. On my last day there, I promptly un-synced [de-synced?] that machine, and uninstalled Chrome to ensure that the person hired to replace me there wouldn't have access to any of my private information that may have been saved on that computer.) It becomes a problem, though, when you're using someone else's machine, or a public machine such as at the library or a cafe. I have occasion to use a computer at my practicum where I don't feel justified in installing new software, so accessing my bookmarks becomes a bit troublesome. Not a big deal, as I usually remember the URLs I may need while there with ease (save those that are overly long and specific), but it's been problematic at times. With Delicious, this problem is erased!
I can see how Delicious can be a wonderful way for librarians to communicate resourceful links to one another without having specifically communicate a new discovery to one another. If it's something where immediacy or urgency is a non-issue, adding a Delicious bookmark can be the perfect method for a colleague who may only check for new additions periodically. Obviously, if it's something more time sensitive, an old-school-style email will suffice in getting the information to that colleague in a timely manner! With my enlightenment to Delicious, I feel more informed, as well as more confident, in how I choose to find and share information and resources online. As I've learned recently, library users want to access information in their preferred method -- and this applies to me as well. (Duh.) Just because there are all these different ways to share with others doesn't mean that I have to use all these resources. Of course, being well-versed with the available options is great (and encouraged), but knowing what you like and how to use it best to your advantage is a luxury, not to mention the ultimate goal.
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