Answer boards and social searching

Having checked out the Yahoo and wiki answer sites I’ve seen how informative and useful they can be. Sites like these are great because posters can choose to be anonymous which is encouraging for people who wish to share their knowledge or ask questions but don’t want to reveal their identities. Answer boards are another form of outreach for our library services. They promote reference services more readily. The answer is beneficial for anyone who has the same or similar questions around the world. Often answers will refer to a hard copy as well as an online resource. It can also serve as a network, allowing librarians and others professional in the field to build up skills and share knowledge. Such sites as Yahoo!7 Answers and WikiAnswers are very simple to use as they classify by categories, different languages and show quality answers which have rating and comment on them. Customers can then use the ratings systems to determine which answers are more reliable. Patrons can give feedback on the services we offer at the library via email, surveys online or by phone.

Similar to “Slamming the boards”, my library has an online service called 'ask a librarian', this service provides information relating to books and other material held by the Marrickville Library Service. We also have an information desk where questions can be asked in person. Feedback can be given online as well.

http://www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au/library/webresources/askalibrarian.htm
http://www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au/getinvolved/yourfeedback.htmI also posted two questions on Yahoo!7 Answers.