Diigo is a social bookmarking web application that permits users to bookmark, tag, and add “sticky notes” (a feature unique to Diigo) to websites. With this project we plan to enhance the description of the Law Library’s Modern Manuscript collections, which should lead to increased access and use by researchers.
The primary goal of this project is to learn what “hidden” information the library’s manuscript collections may contain. Through our finding aids we provide basic information about a collection, enough so that a researcher can determine whether or not to request a certain box. For example, correspondence folders are probably the most requested items from any collection. Researchers hope to glean insight into an individual’s thought process by reading the letters they wrote to friends and colleagues. However, a folder of correspondence may only bear the description of the correspondents and date of correspondence (e.g. Frankfurter – Freund, 1936-1942). Unfortunately, these descriptions do not always provide the most sought after information: the subject of the communication. Researchers can potentially help ameliorate this issue through their work with correspondence and other files; the key is to develop a reasonable way to collect information from patrons. Diigo – with its ability to facilitate communication among users – is the tool we hope will help us capture and use this knowledge.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Special Collections is using Diigo send us an email at [email protected] or check out diigo.com and become our friend! Our username is HLSLSC.