Thing 4 - Flickr. Whr in hll is th 'e'?

OK, you gotta like the Clemens Reads photo with roll over links to the catalog record for the books on the display. As with the "Wall of Books" I mentioned in posting on Thing 2, this is an interesting way to bring physical aspects of the library into the virtual world and expand the browsing possibilities. Both of these examples are based on physical shelf displays in the library, it would be really great to explore how this could be expanded to being able to build a better browse function into the virtual presence of the library, the present catalog search being limited in its capacity to allow for serendipity and propinquity. Maybe this is for the next generation of catalogs, where you could construct some kind of browse function based on the cover visuals we already have in the catalog. Maybe a la Google Books?

I also note that the Clemens folks are smart enough to close the circle, as it were. Notice that there is a sign on the physical shelves (whose picture we see) directing library users to check out this display on Flickr, then at the library's Flickr site, they have links directing you both back to the library catalog. Not to knock the effort, but it seems to me this kind of feature would be more useful if it were closely tied to the catalog, rather than out there at a photo-sharing sight.

I'm trying to imagine a really good library use of this kind of service. Maybe photos from library events? I'm sure some libraries are doing that -- anything else? If you are a library that has images as part of your collection?

After setting up an account and uploading and tagging a few photos, I'd say that Flickr is pretty easy to use, at least on that very basic level. I may keep up the site as a way to share photos with friends, but I've gotten kind out of the habit of photography.

Again, the appeal of this tool for personal use seems obvious. It's a pretty easy way to share photos with family and friends without e-mailing honking HUGE attachments. Also, seems a way to build / develop an online community around those who are photo enthusiasts.