On Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 11:43 AM, Emily Lynema <emily_lynema_at_ncsu.edu> wrote:
> The one problem I'm not sure about with generic dictionary tools is
> whether we will end up suggesting terms and topics to our users that
> don't exist within our local collections. Is that a bad thing? I can see
> the advantages of using the data within your own collection for
> suggesting more appropriate terminology in that it will lead users to
> fewer dead ends.
This is an interesting point (and not isolated to this use case).
Libraries with larger collections (and therefore more comprehensive
subject coverage) are also more likely to have the resources to be
able to build and maintain a customized dictionary with the subjects
that are actually in their collection. On the flip side, smaller
libraries are *less* likely to have such resources, yet the potential
of irrelevant subject matches from a generic subject dictionary
service would be increased due to their smaller collections.
I have no idea how to reconcile this tension (same exists for spelling
corrections or author names), but it's something to consider.
-Ross.
Received on Wed Apr 02 2008 - 11:04:53 EDT