Like "modern" art, the idea of "Next Generation" catalogs is starting
to feel dated. Instead of a daring project, it's become something of a
term of art. The edges are fuzzy. But it embraces systems like
Blacklight, SOPAC, Aquabrowser, Bibliocommons, Endeca catalogs and
systems enhanced with LibraryThing for Libraries, and it involves
ideas like faceted searching, social data, experimental, open-source
development and simple Google-ish interfaces.
There is, of course, a lot more to do here. Most catalogs "in the
wild" are last-gen (or worse). And the ideas themselves are still
being tested and refined.
But, in my opinion, the Copernican moment has passed, and next-gen
catalogs are the new normal. Some of the biggest ideas—like social
features—have been completely misunderstood and misapplied by the big
companies. But all the big companies now has a supposedly "next gen"
catalog. Some are even good.
So, ladies and gentleman, get out your crystal balls and tell me what
is the "next" next gen?
* What good ideas have yet to become mainstream?
* What idea trends—mobile? ebooks?—should cause us to rethink things?
* Is it time to decide that the next catalog is no catalog at all?
* Is it Google? A kiosk? A cell phone? A WorldCat metastasis? Dying
because the library is dying?
What do you think?
Tim
--
Check out my library at http://www.librarything.com/profile/timspalding
Received on Sat Mar 27 2010 - 01:50:33 EDT