[Web4lib] Library link list collections

[Tracy Mehlin]

We still have lists of annotated links (about 300) that we in the process of indexing and adding to a knowledgebase of reference questions and short articles. 

I agree that the majority of people use Google to find answers, but our stats show steady page views. 
Perhaps because we are a special library with a narrow subject focus (horticulture) people find the lists useful for browsing. 

We have volunteers to check for broken links quarterly. I review the links probably about once a year. I look for updated content and professionalism. Some of the sites I weeded this year were outdated in design AND light on content.  But I don't weed out very much. If the site was considered a quality resource when we added it and it still exists I'll keep it. 

Statistics show our "Gardening Answers"  knowledgebase (homegrown) is the most popular feature of our website, so I figure adding recommended links to the results may help expose searchers to web resources they might not have otherwise found.

~~
Tracy L. Mehlin, MLIS 

Information Technology Librarian 
Elisabeth C. Miller Library 
Center for Urban Horticulture 
University of Washington Botanic Gardens 
Box 354115, Seattle, WA 98195-4115 
206-616-9481 ~ tmehlin at u.washington.edu ~ www.millerlibrary.org

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Cecily Walker
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 11:13 AM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Web4lib] Library link list collections

Hi everyone,

I'm working on a project regarding library link lists/link
collections. I'm interested in finding out whether your library
manages a list or collection of web links for your patrons. If your
library does have such a list, would you mind sharing:

(1) the average number of links in your collection;
(2) your method for managing the links;
(3) weeding policies;

and any other items you think might be useful?  Our library currently
uses delicious to manage approximately 5800 links, and managing these
links has become quite a chore. I'd like to see this collection go the
way of the dodo, because I think many people turn to Google find the
answers these lists used to provide.

If your library decided to stop collecting and publishing links lists,
I'd also love to hear the reason why.

Thanks,
Cecily Walker
Web Services Librarian
Vancouver Public Library


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