INN533 - Learning Journal - Part II

Week 8

Add an entry to your Learning Journal of about 200 to 250 words . In this entry you should critically consider the key points you have learnt about classification from this week's activities. What do you think are the key issues and challenges with using and applying popular classification schemes (such as DDC and LCC)? What do you think could be done to overcome some of these challenges?

This week, the class looked at classification. My summarised findings are as follows:

- Classification enables "like" things to be grouped together.

- When cataloguing in a library context, typically the subject matter of an item dictates what other like things it will be grouped with.

- To assist in this process and allow items to be found not only by subject but also on the shelf, a classification scheme can be followed.

- The two main classification schemes are the Dewey Decimal Classification system and the Library of Congress Classification scheme.

The challenges of using and applying these classifications is that: they don’t suit all libraries or all library users, some areas of the schemes are modelled on an old “worldview”, revisions to include new subjects may be difficult and as each resource is cumbersome, it could be a challenge managing consistency of records as library staff change or have their interpretation of the scheme (Robare et al, n.d).

I propose that in order for these challenges to be managed that new staff should be guided by those well versed in the schemes and libraries should refer to the cataloguing efforts of other organisations to maintain consistency particularly in relation to new subjects.

Robare, L., Arakawa, S., Chean, L.M., Frank, P., McKnight, M., Miller, M., Opasik, S., Uhl, R. (n.d.). Fundamentals of library of congress classification . Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/catworkshop/courses/fundamentalslcc/pdf/classify-trnee-manual.pdf

Week 10 - The future of information organisation or does information organisation have a future?

Add an entry to your Learning Journal of about 200 to 250 words  . In this entry you should take a moment to critically reflect upon and respond to at least one of the following questions:

• How does user generated content (ie ratings, reviews, tagging) impact upon or change the way in which users interact with or experience the library and its collection?

User generated content “comes from regular people who voluntarily contribute data, information, or media that then appears before others in a useful or entertaining way, usually on the Web...” (Krumm et al, 2008). Examples include ratings, comments and tagging. Through this, I believe user generated content changes the way users interact with or experience the library and its collection because there is an opportunity for them to contribute to collections or even interact with other users contributions. For example, there’s a an option for users to ‘tag’ items (through LibraryThing) at the State Library of New South Wales. These tags act as a type of classification system for items (State Library of New South Wales, 2010). As such, users can click on a user generated tag and be redirected to items that have the same tag. I think this brings a new level of interactivity and adds a sense of community to the library collection. As Holley describes this may encourage “a sense of public ownership and responsibility” through these contributions (Holley, 2010). However, I think that user generated tags could have a negative impact if the tagging function is being used inappropriately. Its effectiveness as a tool could also be challenged through the way people see different items; tag choices could seem relevant to one user but not to another (State Library of New South Wales, 2010). In saying this, the user can control the choice of tag they select, therefore I think it brings about a positive change to the way people interact with library catalogues.

Holley, R. (2010). Crowdsourcing: How and why should libraries do it? D-Lib Magazine, 16(3/4) doi:10.1045/march2010-holley

Krumm, J. Davies, N. Narayanaswami, C. (2008). User-generated content. IEEE Pervasive Computing, 7(4), 10-11. doi:10.1109/MPRV.2008.85

State Library of New South Wales. (2010). Help - Tags. Retrieved from http://library.sl.nsw.gov.au/screens/help/tags.html

Final Reflection

Add an entry to your Learning Journal of about 200 to 250 words. This is your final learning journal entry and should focus on your learning experience across the semester. In this entry you should write a critical self reflection that provides a reflection on your learning across the unit for the semester. If you are having trouble staying within the work limit suggest focusing on questions 1 & 3. You may consider responding to:

• What were the key things you have learned as a result of completing the activities across the unit, as well as completing the unit as whole?
• What do you still have questions about, or would like to know more about in information organisation?
• What were your strengths, challenges and areas for further development in participating in and completing this unit?

The key things I learned as a result of completing the activities across the unit is that there are many facets of information organisation and often each area is complimentary of the next. Week 2 allowed me to:

- understand the importance of considering user needs and processes in relation to how we organise information.

- recognise that everyone has a unique perspective.

Week 4 expanded on this idea of design thinking and I was introduced to what makes a good user experience. Through the topics discussed in this week I’m finding that I’m increasingly evaluating my personal experiences particularly in a technological context. So much so, that in another class, when tasked with making a screencast, I opted to look at the usability of a library catalogue and guide viewers accordingly.

Week 6 focused on resource description. While I found Helen Partridge’s video to be informative, I initially found it a challenge wrapping my head around the standards, what they dictated and how they worked in relation to describing bibliographic information. The database development assignment helped exponentially in improving my understanding of these areas. I now understand that we effectively have them to ensure there is continuity across catalogues - but changes are happening. The focus is shifting to the user and accommodating user needs in resource description through the introduction of a new standard: Resource Description and Access. I’m interested to see where this new standard takes resource findability.  

Through the activities in week 8 I learned that classification enables like items to be found both by content and shelf location.

The activities in Week 10 highlighted to me that the focus on users within libraries doesn’t end with making items findable but also relates to creating an experience for the users and inviting them to contribute to the function of library services. I learned that the incorporation of tools that allow users to interact with libraries can either add value or detract value from the service depending on the uptake of the tool by users (e.g. commenting, ratings), what the tool is and how the tool is implemented.

Overall, I’ve taken a lot away from this unit. It’s provided a fresh perspective in the way I consider library services and how they can best suit the people they are there to serve. While I focus on libraries, the idea of tailoring services for users applies across the board. I do want to revisit some areas especially in regards to how user experiences can be evaluated in particular contexts, whether designing for user experience is enough to justify the adaptation of rules and standards, what the implications are going to be regarding RDA, FRBR and FISO.