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5/11/2006

Google Coop - Oopportunity or Threat?

"Google Co-op is about sharing expertise. You can contribute your expertise and benefit when others do the same. Help other users find information more easily by creating "subscribed links" for your services and labeling webpages around the topics you know best.

This is a work in progress, but even in its early stages, Google Co-op has the potential to let you contribute your expertise to the overall goal of making information more discoverable for everyone."

Currently there are guides in development for Health, Destinations, Autos etc. And a look at the companies and organizations contributing to the content is substantial. Just take a look at the Health coop section -- National Library of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Center for Disease and Control. I haven't seen ALA of any other major library organizations (exception: the National Library of Medicine) listed here -- but just look at the short list of information partners, it looks ripe for the taking.:)

And also this opportunity ... how about a Google gadget that allows users to search their local library, or access their online account? perhaps there's already a library that's done this (and if so, please email me) but if not, it's just a thought...
"You may also be interested in creating gadgets - useful web applications - that users can add to bring your services to their personalized Google homepage. Learn more about homepage gadgets. "

What are your thoughts? Do you see this type of collaborative information sharing as an opportunity or a threat?

Discovered via LISNews

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