Abstract

This article reflects on the need to re-interpret the control and evaluation of information resources in the current environment of online searching and the information domination of search engines and social networks. Taking into account the recent announcement of the ending of ALA’s Guide to reference, and considering the years before the disappearance of selective directories of web resources like Intute, we attempt to explore the potential of content curation as a conceptual and methodological approach to control and evaluate quality information resources. These resources can be viewed as “continents” with a clear and planned identity where the “contents” experience a kind of dissolution within search engines and social networks. This article proposes the concept of “continent curation” as a method of valuation and contextualization for reference resources within the realm of library and information literacy work.

Abstract

Systematic presentation of three dimensions of computational journalism characterized by their intersections with information science: Content curation, SEO applied to communication, and information seeking and verification. Intersections between various disciplines are discussed.

Abstract

In this article, we examine the need to re-interpret the control and evaluation of information resources in an environment of online searches and information use that is dominated by search engines and social networks. Taking into account the recent announcement of the end of the ALA’s prestigious Guide to reference, preceded several years ago by the disappearance of selective directories of web resources, including Intute, we explore the potential of content curation as a conceptual and methodological approach that can also be applied to the control and evaluation of quality information resources. These resources can be viewed as “containers” with a clear identity, whose “contents” experience a kind of dissolution within search engines and social networks. Here, we propose the concept of “container curation” as a method for evaluating and contextualising information resources within the realm of libraries and information literacy.

Abstract

Pinterest is a virtual panel where the user organizes subjects with visual contents that are on the Network, in order to share them. Although the use in Spain is low at the moment, Pinterest has become the world's third social network, with high impact in the marketing plans of companies, and in a double sense: attracting web traffic to the business and strengthening its brand image online. The Pinterest "Pin It" button is already part of other spaces and social networks, as well as library catalogs, and it works well on apps. Libraries have launched the use of Pinterest for different objectives: promoting their facilities, collections and services, filtering resources (content curation), creating content in collaboration with users or training in digital skills. A marketing plan that optimizes the use of the tool and the return on investment (ROI) is essential to the success of any of these new tools. To support this planning, specific applications are mentioned that can assist the monitoring of Pinterest activity, along with examples of libraries' use.

Abstract

The current situation in Spain of the professional profiles of community manager and content curator is analyzed by considering the following aspects: established profile versus emerging profile, definitions, core objectives (community and content) and three posible relationship scenarios: assumption of content curator duties by community managers, differentiated profiles and hybrid profiles.

Abstract

This article is a theoretical proposal for the new media landscape where many media outputs are made with third-party content. This new form of media is what we could call “metamedia”, because of its singularity and how these medias are being used with other content. From this point of view, this article offers a typology (developed through non-participant observation on the internet) to analyze the new medias and by offering, at the beginning, a definition of metamedia. This article’s findings point to the need to propose a taxonomy that serves to systematize and analyze the different types of metamedia present on the Web. Within this typology, some categories are especially useful to describe characteristics of these metamedias, with examples such as Storyful or Reported.ly, to understand the role of new medias as new mediators. These new medias are developing, in their daily routines, a role as “explainers” and curators of third-party content.

Abstract

Crowdsourcing and crowdmapping tools such Ushahidi (testimony or witness in Swahili) give value to the communication chain. They allow individuals, institutions, and journalistic organizations to take advantage of the flow of information provided by the users, although the process is not without some difficulties. Ushahidi, based on free software, offers a broad range of applications to be used in media contexts. First, Ushahidi focuses on data through a participatory map of georeferenced information and then it addresses the verification of the information provided by the citizens. From the analysis of the bibliography and some study cases, we describe a specific area of collaboration between professional journalists and citizen journalists in the creation, distribution, and verification of content. International media which have used Ushahidi include The guardian, BBC, Al jazeera and Huffington post.

Abstract

Analysis of post-truth and, especially, of the underlying phenomenon of fake news in terms of evaluation and ability to identify reliable sources, and the role of libraries as infomediaries. The main international initiatives proposed by organizations such as IFLA and ALA are discussed. According to the bibliography reviewed, two main kinds of action are proposed: inclusion in informational literacy programs, mainly extending media literacy so that they are oriented from a more civic perspective; and content curation, making thematic guides that are a point of information about the phenomenon and its tools to verify facts. Libraries should act also as a gateway to disseminate information of the library’s collection.