Does tagging belong in the library? Does it replace or complement subject headings? Should we encourage or discourage the practice?
Library are all about classification but in must be uniformed throughout libraries so that the patron and the staff can go from Library A to Library B to Library C, etc. and know how to find the correct subject headings or classification to find the information that they need. We as professional librarians need to have a standard set of subject headings or we will be creating a giant mess in the world of cataloging.
If an individual wants to use tagging for their personal use on Flicker, Delicious, Library Thing etc. that will be for their personal use and will not effect the world of subject headings for library. I might put tags in that say genealogy, Texas genealogy, United States genealogy which is fine for my personal use. The library however, will put Genealogy - Texas - Denton County - History.
Leave Library Subject Heading aka tags to the professionals, but individuals can use tags for their own use as they make sense to them and it doesn't disrupt the world of libraries.
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