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Do Book Ratings Belong in Library Catalogs?
September 19, 2011 - 6:18am — Blake
Do Book Ratings Belong in Library Catalogs?
"To me it feels like a violation of public library philosophy. I have less of a problem when the rating is average or high because I assume it encourages patrons to check out a book they are already considering. But when patrons see a low rating on a book in our catalog, especially a rating not attributed to an individual patron, it appears that our library is bad-mouthing the book…and that discourages, rather than promotes, literacy."
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Comments
Book Ratings
I can understand the concern but I admit I'd like to see the ratings.
Positive ones would probably influence some to select titles/authors hitherto unknown to them. Negative ones, well I'm contrary minded enough that I might sign the thing out to see for myself, OR I'd explore why it was given a negative rating. ie. mismatch for audience? content v style? etc. It could certainly inform collection development.
Of course I would prefer all ratings to be attributable. Real name or nom de plume wouldn't matter as long as there were a means to connect. If we wish to comment then we should stand behind what we say & allow others to engage us too.
Oh really?
"If we wish to comment then we should stand behind what we say & allow others to engage us too." - Anonymous
So this sentiment doesn't extend to LISNews? I actually agree with everything you said in your comment, but I couldn't resist picking on you a little bit over this.;)
Post your comment below. Now fortified with cuddly kittens!