Utilizing the Long Tail in Library Collections

Can libraries as a whole effectively utilize the "long tail" of our collections? Is it worth it? What would we have to do?

I believe that libraries can utilize the "long tail" of their collections and it is definitely worth it. I think that they may need to come together/work together, through such things as inter-library loans to best circulate these "niche" titles. I also think that, as much as libraries may not like it, they may need to look into "tagging" their collections with non-library subject headings. This would make it easier for patrons to find what they are looking for. This could be added to the library's catalog entry for each title. Many patrons would not even think of some of the subjects that libraries put books under.

In The Long Tail Anderson wrote of his tour of the Seattle Public Library and how they designed their library to make "stacks of books fit into a search-engine culture" (p. 160). The architect created the floor with grooves in the cement to house rubber mats with Dewey numbers. This way, as the stacks change, the mats can change, too. And, if the Dewey system becomes obsolete, the mats can be turned over. This would work hand in hand with the idea of "tagging" collections. As the tagging changes, so would the position of the book in the stacks.

Libraries often include multiple copies of "hit" titles, especially for highly anticipated new releases. This is so that these desired titles can circulate to multiple patrons at the same time. Although they use the supply and demand theory because the library is there to serve the patron, they must also remember the patron who desires the "niche" titles or the titles in the "long tail." Perhaps they could purchase one less copy of that "hit" title for their collection and purchase a "niche" title instead. This would satisfy both types of patrons.