GPC Libraries Reference Committee: GIL-Find Tags

• Users must be logged into their library account to enter tags in GIL-Find.
• Tags are not stored anywhere in Voyager. They are stored in a separate database that GIL-Find pulls this data from.
• Tags cannot be deleted. (We can contact the server site to delete tags in extreme cases, such as when offensive language has been used).
• Tags are case-sensitive.
• Permalinks can be created for tag searches just as with any other GIL-Find search using the URL from the address bar in the browser. For step-by-step instructions on how to tag to create a list, here is a tutorial created by Mary Ann Cullen for the Faculty Toolkit (go to the section labeled "tagging to create a booklist"). Note that there is much more flexibility with creating lists using "Favorites" than with tags.
• There is no way to search tags for individual users, but all tags entered by GPC users are searchable and browseable in GPC's local GIL-Find instance: http://gilfind.gsu.edu/vufind/Browse/Tag

Please use the following guidelines to keep clutter in our tag set to a minimum. A set of unique, usable, and useful tags will improve the user experience.

• Browse existing tags to see if one has already been created for a similar term. Use existing tags when possible rather than creating new ones. 
• Use all lowercase letters in tags unless there are proper nouns or acronyms that are normally capitalized. This will make it easier for a tag to be reused.
• Remember that tags are case-sensitive, so you must use the exact form of an existing tag.
• Do not create tags for elements that can be searched in Voyager records already (ex.: subject heading, genre heading, author's name, title, date of publication, series name, format of material, call number, campus location of a particular copy of an item). If something is missing in the Voyager records, contact a cataloger.
• Check your spelling in tags; remember, you can't delete or alter them once they are added.
• Use quotes or use underscore to connect multi-word tags.
• Be mindful when using course names as tags. Ask yourself whether the title may always be applicable for that course (for example, in the case of reserve items, the item may only be on reserve for a particular length of time, and tags cannot be deleted). When using names of courses as tags, use the same guidelines recommended for tagging in LibGuides, e.g. "ENGL 1101".
• When using an instructor's name as a tag, use their full name, not just last name. 
• Avoid using campus name or symbol as a tag by itself or in multi-word tags. Remember, other campuses may also want to use that tag and that means they will have to create a separate tag which will increase clutter.
• Before you start a tagging project, please consult your library colleagues, who may have ideas that will make your project more effective.