Three of the sites I would like to talk about for exercise #16: Booklover's wiki, the Bull Run Library wiki and SJCPL Subject Guide. One major observation each site had in common was incorporating their library services and resources and had recommended outside links. Each wiki highlighted their collection and provided a link to the online catalog, provided a discussion tab for wiki users, displayed link to reference assistance,displayed recommended titles in the collection and listed new items. I did find some areas that did not appear to be updated for a year which I found to be a concern.
Bull Run was informative but I found their layout with bullets a bit too much when browsing. Simplify is the key word for browsing in my opinion. Booklovers Wiki contained titles by subject complete with a critque. They offered outside links on books and reading.
The wiki is a great way to connect the library with its users. I like the idea of critiquing book titles that are in the collection. This is a way for the community to share their ideas and offering a chat site can bring people together. An online chat group is another way for the community to work with its local library. I think book reviews by the younger crowd entices the young reader to express themselves through what they have read. They could even do a personal favorites list for public viewing.
The downside of wiki is that in order for it to be successful for the library community, the librarian(s) must understand that monitoring is a key rule. I noticed some of the wiki sites had not been update for quite some time and that I consider a turn-off for a browser. To me it shows the wiki page has either been abandoned and is not in use or that it is a page that is not popular thus not worth using. Updating and monitoring is what makes the library wiki useful and popular. It must be monitored by the library so to keep the friendly atmosphere and eliminate any inappropriate contributions(if any. This must be considered when building a library wiki to ensure a safe, online community meeting place for all. If you do not have the time to commit to creating and being a co-collaborator, then it is not the right tool for you.
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