What Is the Library and Information Science Definition of Taxonomy?

What is the library and information science definition of taxonomy? Library and information science is simply the field of study that relates to how libraries and information are organized. Taxonomy, on the other hand, is the science of classification. In taxonomy, items are classified according to their common relationships with one another.

Library and Information Science Definition of Taxonomy

Since we know that the library and information science discipline relates to the organization of information, it makes sense that taxonomy would be directly related to the field of library sciences. 
To better understand how taxonomy would be defined within the library and information science system, let's look at what taxonomy is and how it is performed:

• The word taxonomy is derived from two Greek words. The first is the word taxis, which means order or arrangement. The second is the Greek word nomos, which means law or science.
• Taxonomy is normally shown or illustrated in a taxonomy tree. This tree breaks down classifications and sub-classifications about a particular subject in a tree diagram.
• The field of taxonomy largely began with "alpha taxonomy," which is used to classify species and subspecies of plants and animals (i.e. when you hear of an animal or plants Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species, this is an example of taxonomy).
• Taxonomy has expanded over the years to include the classification of both animate and inanimate objects. For example, libraries use the concept of taxonomy to classify books by genre and sub-genre and in order to organize books, magazines, articles, and periodicals by subject matter.
• In recent years, the concept of taxonomy has been used for the organization of subject matter in the information science field in a number of novel ways as well: on the World Wide Web, for instance, taxonomy or classification is used to classify and organize available resources on the Internet.

Understanding the Library's Use of Taxonomy

So, now that you have a better idea of what taxonomy is, the next step is to see how taxonomy is used in libraries and information sciences.

• An example of how the library uses taxonomy or classification is the Dewey Decimal system.
• The Dewey Decimal system is a form of taxonomy used in libraries across the United States. It was invented in 1876.
• This classification system is used to categorize or classify nonfiction book titles into ten main divisions.
• These ten divisions are then classified into ten subdivisions.
• A book is then issued a Dewey number in the number system based on the book’s subject matter.
• The number assigned combined with the first three letters of the authors last name becomes the call number for the book so that it can be easily located in the library.
• The books are then placed on the shelves in the library in number order from 001 to 999 according to this classification system.

Taxonomy on the World Wide Web

An example of how the concept of taxonomy is used on the World Wide Web can be seen when you visit certain web pages where there is a great deal of information.

• For example, if you visit a website for layouts, you will find these layouts first grouped by classification for the social networking site you are looking for a layout for (such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and so on.)
• When you click on one of these, you will see sub-classification systems according to the graphics that are a part of the layout. For instance, you may have a choice between animals, weather, holidays, and so on.
• Upon making the decision based on these sub-classifications, you will be lead to additional sub sub-classifications. For instance, in the animal category you may have to choose dogs, cats, reptiles, and so on. In the holiday category, you may have to make a choice between Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or any other holiday that is celebrated in the United States and throughout the world. 

So, now you know how taxonomy works and what the library and information science definition of taxonomy.

Web citation:
"What Is the Library and Information Science Definition of Taxonomy?." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow, n.d. Web. 9 October 2012. <http://reference.yourdictionary.com/word-definitions/what-is--library-information-science-definition-taxonomy.html>.

What is Grey Literature?

Gray literature (or grey literature) is a field in library and information science. The term is used variably by the intellectual community, librarians, and medical and research professionals to refer to a body of materials that cannot be found easily through conventional channels such as publishers, "but which is frequently original and usually recent" in the words of M.C. Debachere.^[1] Examples of grey literature include technical reports from government agencies or scientific research groups, working papers from research groups or committees, white papers, or preprints. The term grey literature is often employed exclusively with scientific research in mind. Nevertheless, grey literature is not a specific genre of document, but a specific, non-commercial means of disseminating information.
The identification and acquisition of grey literature poses difficulties for librarians and other information professionals for several reasons. Generally, grey literature lacks strict bibliographic control, meaning that basic information such as author, publication date or publishing body may not be easily discerned. Similarly, non-professional layouts and formats and low print runs of grey literature make the organized collection of such publications challenging compared to more traditional published media such as journals and books.^[2]
Information and research professionals generally draw a distinction between ephemera and grey literature. However, there are certain overlaps between the two media and they certainly share common frustrations such as bibliographic control issues.

Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 24 Jan. 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page.

 

Image Source Page: http://www.foresthistory.org/ASPNET/Publications/region/4/history/index.aspx

RFID books, weblogs and resources

http://www.nearfield.org/2006/08/rfid-books-weblogs-and-resources

Librarians Talk About Twitter

Librarians Talk About Twitter

These librarians share their suggestions, experience, and opinions on using Twitter.

23. Twitter on ALA and Some Advice. The Shifted Librarian offers a great post on using Twitter in the library.
24. Twitter Dominated ALA Midwinter. Kenley Neufeld tells about the success of Twitter during the ALA Midwinter in January 2009.
25. Twitiquette: A Short but Helpful guide to Twittering Conference Meetings. This librarian offers a powerful reminder for what not to do when Twittering.
26. Twitter Explained for Librarians, or 10 ways to use Twitter. David King gives the basics about Twitter and how you can use it in your library.
27. Library Twitter?. Learn how this librarian was won over to Twitter.
28. Learn More: Twitter. Find out why Twitter can work well for a library and see a few examples of Tweets here.
29. Twitter Update or how I was able to exploit the latest social networking site without really trying. Learn how this librarian uses Twitter for a variety of functions.
30. All a Twitter: Want to Try Microblogging?. Ellyssa Kroski offers tips, tools, Tweeting libraries and more in this article.
31. Finding other librarians using Twitter. Learn how to use Twellow to find other librarians on Twitter with this blog post.
32. Managing the ebb and Follow on Twitter. This librarian shares valuable Twitter tools here.
33. two notes about twitter. Jessamyn West offers a link to an interesting library Twitter feed and also discusses the criteria she uses when selecting who to follow.
34. A Guide to Twitter in Libraries. This article from iLibrarian offers plenty of information and resources to effectively use Twitter in the library.
35. Picador Launches Twitter Book Club. Find out how this book club incorporates Twitter.
36. Use Twitter? Check Out dm fail. Learn why it’s important not to send private messages on Twitter.

Citation:  http://www.bachelorsdegreeonline.com/blog/2009/100-tips-tools-and-resources-for-librarians-on-twitter/

Ways to Use Twitter in the Library

Ways to Use Twitter in the Library

Here are some simple suggestions to get you started using Twitter in your library.

14. New book arrivals. Let your patrons know what new books arrive at your library by Twiering the information.
15. Library Events. Keep followers current on all the fun events occurring at the library.
16. Take a poll. Use PollDaddy to ask your patrons for their opinions or get feedback on what’s happening at the library.
17. Stay in touch. Keep up with other librarians so you can share ideas and projects and learn from each other.
18. Send alerts. Allow patrons to sign up to be notified when requested material is available.
19. Send past due notices. Tweet past due notices to patrons as a gentle reminder that they are late.
20. Create alerts for specific groups. Announce news and events meant for specific groups such as teens, children, or book groups.
21. Announce closing time. Let patrons know when the library is about to close.
22. Send computer alerts. Whether someone’s allotted time on the computer is about to end or if several computers have suddenly become available, let users know.

Citation:  http://www.bachelorsdegreeonline.com/blog/2009/100-tips-tools-and-resources-for-librarians-on-twitter/

Happy Solstice to all the Druid Librarians in the World!

Technorati

Technorati is an Internet search engine that indexes and searches blogs. Technorati tracks blogs and other forms of citizen media, including video blogs (vlogs), podcasts and amateur movies and videos in real-time. All this activity is monitored and indexed within minutes of posting. By June 2008, Technorati was indexing 112.8 million blogs and over 250 million pieces of tagged social media. The name Technorati is a blend of the words technology and literati, which invokes the notion of technological intelligence or intellectualism.

Blogging Terms

Are you puzzled by strange blogging terms and unusual blog abbreviations and blogging acronyms? Then this post will get the Blargon Demystified. This article attempts to simplify some common blogging terms organized into a simple blogging glossary. Only common and popular blog tools and services have been included.
"Giant Blogging Terms Glossary: Need a Blog Dictionary?" QuickOnlineTips — Technology News, Blogging Tips, New Media. 2010. Web. 07 June 2010.
http://www.quickonlinetips.com/archives/2006/06/the-giant-blogging-terms-glossary/

What is a RSS feed?

What is a RSS feed?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication.

RSS is the format for distributing news and other web content. When you put content into RSS and send that content to other people or websites, it's called a feed.

Feeds are very powerful. They attract the interest of the search engines and they reach new audiences.

Every blog has a feed. Most of the new social media sites are using RSS Feeds to distribute their content. Twitter runs on RSS feeds, Facebook and MySpace use feeds.

You can add feeds to your news and tap in to the power of the social web. A feed will increase the reach and visibility of your news content.

"What Is RSS?" Social Media Newsroom | Pressfeed. Web. 21 Apr. 2010. 

Ten Things a Blogging Librarian Must Do (an exercise in common sense)

1. Cite your sources. Link to them. It's what this Web and blog thing is all about.
2. Post often but have something to say. I'd rather read one or two super good posts than multiple posts that someone puts up because they feel they have to. I've done that here. I used to post everyday, but now I focus on what's really interesting me and what I can comment on.
3. However: make the commitment though to follow through. It pains me to see a new blog go up, get listed here and there and then never hear from it again. Blogging is an investment of time and energy, commit.
4. Post about what you're passionate about and don't be afraid to say what you think!
5. And share yourself. I love learning about folks and how they see the world. Their POV may help me understand or change mine. It also adds to the community that is the blogosphere and more so the Internet. We are people... be yourself!
6. Never miss an opportunity to show your administration how well an external library blog is working. Did you get a nice email from someone who found your blog helpful? Forward it to all involved. It's feedback of the best kind.
7. If you are doing a personal blog, don't do it on your library's dime. Breaks? Lunch? Sure! In the speaking I've done about blogging I've had numerous library admin types ask what to do about a blogger on their staff. If it's a library-related blog, discuss what you might do as part of professional development with your supervisor.
8. Blog unto others as you'd have them blog unto you. In other words, play nice. I don't want to read flames. I do want to read a differing opinion from someone who thought out their points on whatever the topic of the day is.
9. Read other blogs for inspiration and AHHA moments. Chime in. CITE!
10. Learn all there is to know about your blog app and make use of its features. These are good skills to have.
11. Have FUN!

(well, that was 11! :) )

Posted by Michael at June 9, 2004 11:15 AM
Stephens, Michael. "Tame the Web: Libraries and Technology: Ten Things a Blogging Librarian Must Do (an Exercise in Common Sense)." Tame The Web. 09 June 2004. Web. 01 June 2010. <http://www.tametheweb.com/ttwblog/archives/000255.html>.