Re: [IUG] User-generated tagging, Similar Books

["wylie ackerman" <wyliea at dpls dot lib dot or dot us>]

It looks like they're using LibraryThing for Libraries
(http://www.librarything.com/forlibraries) for the tags and similar
reads.  You get similar reads and other editions along with the tags.


We have it as well (http://catalog.dpls.lib.or.us/record=b1344581), and
we've been very happy with it.  Similar reads is the more popular of the
two features.

Wylie Ackerman
Deschutes Public Library

-----Original Message-----
From: innopac-bounces at innovativeusers dot org
[mailto:innopac-bounces at innovativeusers dot org] On Behalf Of Pruntel,Alison
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 12:03 PM
To: 'innopac at innopacusers dot org'
Subject: [IUG] User-generated tagging, Similar Books

Hi all,

I have some staff that are questioning why our OPAC doesn't work like
another area library's OPAC, which happens to be powered by SirsiDynix.

Here's an example:

1.    Go to
http://ipac.librarypoint.org/ipac20/ipac.jsp?profile=remote#focus

2.    Do an author browse (I find this search terminology confusing),
for example, Perry, Anne;

3.    For Anne Perry, go ahead and open up entry #5, "A Dangerous
Mourning";

4.    Our complaining/envious staff love the Tags and the Similar Books
option;

My understanding with the tags is that we'd either have to purchase
Encore (not going to happen any time soon) or enter into a less
expensive arrangement with a vendor like LibraryThing to import
user-generated tags into our OPAC interface.

The Similar Books feature...does III even offer something like this (and
if so, does it require Encore?)? I don't understand where they are
getting the data (Amazon?) and it doesn't appear that it's in all the
titles.

I have only activated the "Show Similar Items" option on our staging
server, which only seems to focus on the bibs that have the 650/subject
heading fields included in the MARC record. We haven't turned it on the
live server because it seems sort of confusing/not very useful for your
public library patron - probably appreciated more in an academic
setting.

Anyway, any advice aside from finding a funding source to invest in
Encore? Or have I overlooked something that III offers in the standard
OPAC? The staff are particular enamored with the Similar Books feature,
since it would act (or is perceived as acting) as a readers' advisory
tool.

Thanks in advance,

Alison



Alison Pruntel
Electronic Resources Librarian
Fauquier County Public Library
11 Winchester Street
Warrenton, VA 20186
540-349-2770 (voice)
540-349-3278 (fax)
FCPL Web Site: http://library.fauquiercounty.gov
My Blog: http://fcpleresources.blogspot.com
New Stuff at FCPL: http://www.wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?p=2786
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail


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