Accessibility navigation


An investigation into the viability of LibraryThing for promotional and user engagement purposes in libraries

Richards, A. and Sen, B. (2013) An investigation into the viability of LibraryThing for promotional and user engagement purposes in libraries. Library Hi Tech, 31 (3). pp. 493-519. ISSN 0737-8831

[img]
Preview
Text - Accepted Version
· Please see our End User Agreement before downloading.

725kB

It is advisable to refer to the publisher's version if you intend to cite from this work. See Guidance on citing.

To link to this item DOI: 10.1108/LHT-03-2013-0034

Abstract/Summary

Structured abstract: Purpose: LibraryThing is a Web 2.0 tool allowing users to catalogue books using data drawn from sources such as Amazon and the Library of Congress and has facilities such as tagging and interest groups. This study evaluates whether LibraryThing is a valuable tool for libraries to use for promotional and user engagement purposes. Methodology: This study used a sequential mixed methods 3 phase design: (1) the identification of LibraryThing features for user engagement or promotional purposes, (2) exploratory semi-structured interviews (3) a questionnaire. Findings: Several uses of LibraryThing for promotional and user engagement purposes were identified. The most popular reason libraries used LibraryThing was to promote the library or library stock, with most respondents using it specifically to highlight collections of books. Monitoring of patron usage was low and many respondents had not received any feedback. LibraryThing was commonly reported as being easy to use, remotely accessible, and having low cost, whilst its main drawbacks were the 200 book limit for free accounts, and it being a third-party site. The majority of respondents felt LibraryThing was a useful tool for libraries. Practical implications: LibraryThing has most value as a promotional tool for libraries. Libraries should actively monitor patron usage of their LibraryThing account or request user feedback to ensure that LibraryThing provides a truly valuable service for their library. Orginality : There is little research on the value of LibraryThing for libraries, or librarians perceptions of LibraryThing as a Web 2.0 tool.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:No Reading authors. Back catalogue items
Central Services > Academic and Governance Services > Library
ID Code:34368
Uncontrolled Keywords:Libraries, LibraryThing, Value, Web 2.0, promotion, user engagement
Publisher:Emerald
Publisher Statement:This article is © Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here (http://centaur.reading.ac.uk/34368). Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

University Staff: Request a correction | Centaur Editors: Update this record

Page navigation