An investigation into the viability of LibraryThing for promotional and user engagement purposes in libraries
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-03-2013-0034 |
| Pages | 493-519 |
| Published date | 02 September 2013 |
| Date | 02 September 2013 |
| Author | Anna Richards,Barbara Sen |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology |
An investigation into the viability
of LibraryThing for promotional
and user engagement purposes in
libraries
Anna Richards and Barbara Sen
Information School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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 seeks to evaluate whether LibraryThing is a valuable tool for libraries to use for
promotional and user engagement purposes.
Design/methodology/approach – This study used a sequential mixed methods three-phase
design: the identification of LibraryThing features for user engagement or promotional purposes,
exploratory semi-structured interviews and 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/value – There is little research on the value of LibraryThing for libraries, or librarians’
perceptions of LibraryThing as a Web 2.0 tool.
Keywords LibraryThing,Web 2.0, Libraries, Value
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
The use of Web 2.0 tools and websites in libraries is a topic which has generated much
discussion. With many different tools to choose from it is necessary to ensure that
those selected are worth the time invested in them. This study investigates one such
tool, LibraryThing, outlining ways in which it could be used by libraries, and
evaluating its overall value for libraries.
LibraryThing is a website which allows users to catalogue their own books and
connect to other users through these books (LibraryThing, n.d.-a). Users search for a book
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
Funding for Anna Richards’ Masters degree, during which this research was completed, was
received via an AHRC Studentship.
This article is based on a dissertation written as part of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Arts in Librarianship at the University of Sheffield 2012.
Viability of
LibraryThing
493
Received 28 March 2013
Revised 23 April 2013
1 May 2013
Accepted 3 May 2013
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 31 No. 3, 2013
pp. 493-519
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/LHT-03-2013-0034
they own and LibraryThing uses data from various sources, including Amazon and the
Library of Congress, to provide records which users then personalise with tags, ratings
and reviews (LibraryThing, n.d.-b). It also provides recommendations using a number of
different methods and allows users to create interest groups through which they can
communicate (LibraryThing, n.d.-b). This book and reading orientated website provides a
ready audience for libraries. The LibraryThing team work with libraries through their
LibraryThing for Libraries and LibraryThing Anywhere developments. LibraryThing
for Libraries uses LibraryThing book data to add reviews, and tags to a library Online
Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), along with other features, and LibraryThing Anywhere
creates a mobile compatible version of an OPAC (LibraryThing, n.d.-c). The focus of this
paper is on the features provided to website users, and on the ways in which libraries can
use these features to promote their current services and engage with users.
1.1 Aims and objectives
The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of LibraryThing for promotion and
user engagement purposes for libraries. We investigate the different ways that
LibraryThing can be used by libraries, and explore the attitudes of librarians who use
it professionally. The objectives are to:
.identify the ways in which LibraryThing can be used by libraries to promote
services or engage with users;
.identify how libraries are currently using LibraryThing and understand how
useful LibraryThing is to librarians; and
.evaluate the overall value of LibraryThing for libraries.
2. Related literature
This review of the literature gives a general overview of Web 2.0 use in libraries in
order to provide context for this investigation before focusing on libraries use of
LibraryThing. Other websites which provide similar services, namely Goodreads and
Shelfari, are discussed to provide a point of comparison.
2.1 Web 2.0 and libraries
O’Reilly (2005) described Web 2.0 as an interactive way of using the web, where users
are encouraged to add content and interact with each other, which can be used to
improve a service. There are several advantages to using Web 2.0 tools within library
services. Stuart (2010); cited in Tripathi and Kumar (2010) argues that Web 2.0 tools
help to bridge the gap between libraries and their users, increasing communication.
Buigues-Garcia and Gimenez-Chornet (2012) argue that they allow the library to
expand beyond the physical library building, with Chua and Goh (2010) arguing that
increased communication leads to greater collaboration between librarians and users.
Web 2.0 tools can encourage users to become more actively involved in library
activities (Farkas 2007; cited in Tripathi and Kumar, 2010) by, for example, submitting
reviews of library resources. Web 2.0 tools have also increased the ways that users can
provide feedback to libraries and thus help library staff to improve the services
(Mahmood and Richardson, 2011).
2.1.1 Specific Web2.0 tools used by libraries. Chua and Goh (2010)found that the most
popular Web 2.0 toolsused in both public and academic libraries in North America,Asia
and Europe were blogs, RSS feeds and instant messaging services, with social networks,
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