LibraryThing

Although I've been a member of LibraryThing since late 2006, I didn't realize that libraries could get in on the action. I think it works great for libraries, since I find it too much "work" to enter in my home collection of books, or even titles I'm currently reading from the library. I guess after all the cataloging I do at work, I've lost all interest in coming home to do it some more!

That said, I used to work at an optics library while I was pursuing my masters degree and I think that LibraryThing is a great tool for special collections (which are book oriented) because users with their special knowledge can add subject tags. This is an awesome tool that allows librarians to harness the knowledge of the users who know more about a subject than the librarian does!

Obviously, I've only sporadically used this site personally, but would love to implement it in our culinary library here at NECI to find out how useful the tag clouds are in guiding patrons' book searches.

Social Networking sites

I think it's important for libraries to be a part of the social networking sites because:

1. It's a way of projecting a library's presence out into the web in a fun and easy to use format (some libraries OPAC are overly sterile and/or unwieldy).
2. It's a free way to make announcements and market your events or projects.
3. It's an opportunity to get feedback from your patrons who might not be willing to approach someone at the library.
4. It let's libraries/librarians see what other libraries/librarians are doing and get inspired.