Thing 34: Is this our competition? --Online Answer Sites

I think that a lot of people like the idea that when they ask a question on an online answer site, they are able to do so completely anonymously. They aren't afraid of looking stupid or anyone making fun of them for what they ask because it cannot be tied to them. I also think that to many people, the idea of doing things on the internet gives them the idea that things are being done faster and more efficiently.
I saw a lot of relationship and sex related questions. I think that this is because of the privacy and secrecy that the internet allows them. These are questions that they may be too embarrassed to ask someone in person and perhaps want the opinion of someone who is impartial to the situation. These are questions that they don't necessarily need an expert or a professional to answer, they just want an opinion. So, these are questions that are not really appropriate for a librarian or to be asking in the library.
I did not participate in the slam boards. I think that libraries are coming into this question and answer technology on their own. Using email and instant messaging, people are able to contact and use the resources of the library without even stepping in the door. We are making a virtual library as a place and people are using this place to interact with librarians and get their questions answered in a timely manner. They know that they are getting an expert or professional answer and I think that they value this more than an answer from wikianswers or askville.