I debated whether to start a new post or just leave a comment, so I left a comment. But I did also want to start a new subject because what that comment really leads me to is a question that's been perking for quite a while: How many reference staff use the recommended sites on something approaching a regular basis? Whether "regular" means every day or once every couple of months, I'd be interested to know.
Something else I'm curious about: Are the recommended sites more for staff or more for patrons? The answer doesn't have to be mutually exclusive, but just who is the target audience? If it's staff, then do we really need them? If it's patrons, then do we really need them (the sites, not the patrons)? I find myself much less dependent on them as a librarian than I was several years ago. I think web searching is one tool among many that we can - and do - teach, and I guess I'm just not sure how big a part lists play anymore.
(I'm also curious to know if anyone reads this blog besides Julie, Marty, and me. I guess I'll find out if anyone leaves comments.) ;)
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7 comments:
don't see "poll'" so maybe this is it. I use the Literature Criticism site A LOT. Same with Biography. The only "legal Forms" site I ever ever use is "Taxes," and I definitely use that a lot.
People want "Legal" help for traffic and for divorce/child support, but I never use online resources. You have to be very very careful here- I remember hearing that the County Attorney said all we could do was mutely point at Virginia Code.
I think the historic sites ("daily life in") help, and some sites are simply necessary for political reasons.
I'm not a real librarian, so of course I don't know about these, but I guess you do, Library school and all...
But you're right, we can get along with far fewer. Hope this helps.
(would pretend to be someone else if that will help your figure...Nat Whilk
Everybody together now, "Marty is a real librarian."
Everybody together now, "Marty is a real librarian." Hear, hear.
Yes, this is the "poll." It refers mainly to the recommended websites, since that is the area we will be redefining. The databases are not going away, but the presentation of them may change.
Aw Shucks...
Long story short, I never used Recommended Sites before I was given a bunch to tend. I still don't use them...
In addition for those listed also in DATABASES, here are a few we might keep: Artcyclopedia, AltaVista Translation Service, Hieroglyphics (for Tattoos), Libraries (all these), Virtual Religion Index, Seniors (all these if we can- seniors or their families will pay our bills). mh
Hello, this is Valarie from PUR. I am just catching up on the dialogue about the Recommended Sites pages after a busy summer. I imagine more librarians will respond and participate once summer reading is over and temp RUST opens. I know PUR and ASH and all other branches have been affected by the RUST closure.
But to answer your question....I use the Rec. Sites page myself and with patrons for topics I am less familiar with. For example, I have taken classes in medical research so I don't tend to need that site as much, but it is still interesting to see what is on there. But if you're talking about resources for math or science for elementary school kids--that's something I can really use because there are so many sites out there with varying levels of content and authority. I do need to remember to use the Rec. Sites pages more often with patrons. So many online resources are "out there in the world" that I often forget to mention the Rec. Sites pages...but I will keep trying!
So, I think the Recommended Websites add value. However, I do see a benefit to paring them down or eliminating pages on very broad topics or entertainment-type topics. And I do see the benefit to integrating them into other pages or organizing them in some other way. We could take a poll that allows us to mark whether to keep, pare down, or eliminate a topic.
Another thing that might help in streamling the look of the Rec. Sites page is to make the descriptions of each site shorter--maybe one line at most.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment. Valarie Hoover, PUR
Hi, this is Oona. Just wanted to say, I use the recommended website MAINLY for tax sites, LOL!! Rarely if ever do I go into them for anything else.
I know I can find most of the consumer health stuff either directly from NIH or similar sites, or via Google/search engines.
I use the county web site quite a bit for county info, though often the navigating to the right page is tricky - you have to drill down a bit on some of those links!
Internet Tutorials are new, and I would say there are some VERY good sites out there to include for tutorials on anything from MS Excel and Word to mouse clicking and email usage. Even free very very good language tutorials are available, although now we have Rosetta Stone that isn't quite as much of a problem...
Oh, and I would say that one last category I HAVE used on occassion is the Government category.
Other than those usages and suggestions - I think we can prune this down quite a bit.
(That goes double for the health section I "herd" because those sites just proliferate like mad...)
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