- What types of services could libraries offer with user-generated content? The advantages and disadvantages?
From the readings I love the idea of using users to correct catalog errors. I would also encourage user-generated content reliability ratings of sources found in the library. I also love the idea of a historical event being given a true personal touch with user-generated artifacts and memories. This would really only work with a huge user population, and even then only a few library patrons will participate and only some of them will be truly consistent and helpful. I think the hardest part of implementing crowdsourcing is the time and long term commitment required.
Information is no longer one way, it is interactive. When I tell people I am a librarian, they ask me if libraries will be around much longer, or if librarians are needed anymore (yes...these people are very rude). Libraries have served as a community hub and center for information like no other public forum has for years. It is user-generated content that will continue the community piece of libraries everywhere in this digital age, and add a whole new successful dynamic to all that libraries offer. Allowing users to contribute to a library goals frees up staff for other items on an agenda, or allows a goal to be accomplished that would otherwise never get done. Users add an extra expertise, knowledge, and value to any project. They also add the personal touches like tags, comments, and ratings. By encouraging patrons to participate with their library this can encourage loyalty, trust, and a public ownership in the information and goals of the library. In this day and age libraries need community support and can use all the help they can get accomplishing goals that will benefit the community.
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