[Web4lib] Library link list collections

[Marcie Pierson]

This touches on an area I forgot to mention in my first response. I can see value in keeping a list of local or specialized links (I would expect a horticulture library to have resources specific to horticulture, botany, gardening, etc. and a list of links is not out the question). Likewise, it might be handy to have easy links to your town/city/county government, areas of local history or interest, where and how to register to vote/pay taxes, parks and rec locations and events, etc.
 
For a look at a rather comprehensive wiki-based list of local resources, see http://loudounpedia.org/ 
 
Marcie Pierson
Reference Librarian
Grafton Public Library
35 Grafton Common 
Grafton, MA 01519
508-839-4649
508-839-7726 FAX

________________________________

From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Tracy Mehlin
Sent: Wed 12/3/2008 5:02 PM
To: Cecily Walker; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Library link list collections



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 Some of the sites I weeded this year were outdated in design AND light on content.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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