As library and information science professionals, we have an obligation to organize and disseminate information in order to be of the greatest benefit to our users. The Code of Ethics of the American Library Association (2008) states:
We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, we are members of a profession explicitly committed to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information. We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations.
This free-flow of information, unfortunately, can be hindered by our current library catalogs. An average internet user has a certain set of expectations, ones that are based in current use of Google-type search engines and social networking sites. Unfortunately, the majority of information and resources in libraries are still stored and displayed in out-dated fashion. Sanders (2008) describes that a relevant library catalog “should be able to interpret [a library patrons] search and give useful, relevance-ranked results”. Information displayed in this way is not only more familiar, but allows the patron to feel more connected to his or her library. Tagging enforces this feeling of connection because the patrons have had a part in creating the vocabulary to describe the information. Sanders also notes that library patrons have “participated in the social life of the Web and been exposed to its culture of participation and mentorship. Patrons are not only ready for new possibilities in library interfaces; they have begin to demand them.” Having a library environment that supports the sharing of ideas and the participation of the community it serves is essential.
Keeping up with Web 2.0 trends and helping patrons feel involved is not the only way libraries can stay relevant. Tagging definitely adds a familiar feel to library catalogs by helping patrons search for information in a way they are familiar with. However, tagging can also help library catalogs keep-up with relevant and current vocabulary. Tagging can act as a bridge or even translator for professionally assigned, and often very confusing, subject headings. The LC Working Group noted that “while pre-coordination [of terms] can offer users an implicit indication of the relationship between subject terms, the carefully crafted subject strings created by catalogers are often misunderstood or incomprehensible to users and reference librarians” (Rolla, 2009). Using terminology created by users, for users, can add a level of understanding to a piece of information that might not exist otherwise.
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