Social Tagging for Graphic Novels: A Content Analysis of Graphic Novel Collections in New Zealand Public Libraries

Abstract

Research problem: The problem addressed in this research concerns the lack of metadata in public library catalogue records for graphic novels. Although social tagging by library users may help to mitigate this, what kinds of words users might apply as social tags cannot be known.

Methodology: Content analysis was undertaken to examine what social tags were applied to catalogue records for graphic novels from the Wellington City Libraries and Christchurch City Libraries, New Zealand. Based on previous research findings, categories such as topic, character, genre and setting, among others, were used as a basis for the themes of the content analysis. Records were examined, and the tags were coded at face using these categories.

Results: Although the amount of social tags in the records was extensive and provided depth of information, the tags seemed to fit into multiple categories. Topic, character, genre, tags related to awards and personal tags were the most frequently used, with foreign language terms also being common. Reflecting previous research, there was a high degree of polysemy, synonymy, hypernymy and heteronymny in the words used as tags, with the hypernymy providing an inherent structure to the tags.

Implications: Results may reflect the understanding and engagement users have with the items they are reading and because of this may make social tagging useful for other libraries.