Tuesday, January 19, 2010

I keep hearing about library mashups. What are they?

Library mashups are one of the ways libraries are integrating more services into websites. According to Nicole C. Engard, a mashup is "a web application that combines data from more than one source into a single integrated tool." Library mashups have been used to add value to websites through music, commenting, video, and news.

One example of how the Maryland State Library Resource Center is using library mashups is Mapping the African American Experience in Maryland created by the African American Department. This site combines Google Maps with photos and information from the library’s collection illustrating buildings, sites, and historic districts relating to the African American experience in Maryland. Through these kinds of web services, library mashups help to provide innovative ways for libraries to connect patrons with information.

1 comment:

Lauren said...

Thanks for mentioning our mashup!
Just to clarify, the "Mapping the African American Experience" project used the site surveys of the Maryland Historical Trust, available online through the Maryland State Archives, as its main resource, not materials in the Pratt Library collections.
Librarians in the African American Dept. of the Enoch Pratt Free Library compiled the information from the surveys and created the Google Maps mashup. The original surveys are searchable at http://www.mdihp.net/.

Thanks again,
Lauren Doughty
African American Dept.
Enoch Pratt Free Library