Reflection

Reflection-7/26/06 

Particularly the Deeken article speaks to the winds of change in cataloguing.  What was discussed were methods to make information more accessible to the general public and solid in terms of access for future generations.  Many ways to achieve this include change in how information is displayed and cataloged. I found the three bottom line solutions-change cataloging rules, abandon cataloging , and exploit technology as really the basis for all of the change now present in the field.  Deeken’s article suggests that the third option-exploiting technology is the most feasible option for change and toward the goals of access and solid records management ( the creation of good data, metadata, creating standards for retrieval of information). 

Add comment July 29, 2006 paravion2

Serials part I -7/19/06

Serials-Part IWhat serials were ( pre-electronic resources era)I think the “Unraveling the Mysteries of Serials” article defines serials best as “ a publication issued over a period of time, usually on a regular basis (for example, weekly) with some sort of numbering used to identify issues ( for example volumes, issue numbers , dates).  These documents are not finite.  Their purpose is the dissemination of current information in a given field to a particular audience.  What serials are not not-encyclopedias (these are monographic sets) 

What serials are nowSerials are everything in the above mentioned paragraph but also in electronic formats.  Serials did in the past and do have changes in titles.  Serials are distinguishable and identifiable through ISSN ( International Serials Standard Numbers) and their use in cataloging.The Future of serials            One theme from the reading seemed to be the urgency of preserving serials as a viable part of library acquisitions as well as how to handle the decline and deal with the loss of valuable cataloging of serials.  It seems that changes is forcing evolution of how serials will be handled in the future.  I’m not sure. 

1 comment July 22, 2006 paravion2

Preservation 7/14/06

I think the author Abby Smith says it best when she states:“the goal of any preservation program is to ensure long-term, ready access to the information resources of an institution.”  Until this week’s readings, I thought I had a good grasp of what preservation encompasses.  But as I read on I found terms such as “preservation reformatting”, “emulation software”, “DPC” (Digital Preservation Coalition), “PRONOM ( a place to get information about previous and know obsolete software/operating systems), “multifaceted preservation” and I realized that preservation is enormous in scope and breadth.  It is recommended that long term and strategic, cooperative planning be used to address the brittle books issue, the frailty electronic and digital materials dependent on access via machines that quickly become outdated, and its own short storage life in present formats.   One aspect I gathered from this week’s reading was the fact that preservation cannot really be separated from collection development, must be considered when planning for space and use of materials in any library, and should be considered as one of the main components of a library budget.  Often in many institutions, preservation is getting some funding and attention due to the push to find ways to preserve the fragile electronic formats that have arisen today.  Special collections (print or otherwise) in public, academic, and private institutions of unique and irreplaceable value call attention to the field of preservation/conservation.  As an example, the Martin Luther King Jr. archival material example came to mind.  An institution-Atlanta’s

Morehouse
College, I believe came to the rescue, but not without it being almost in the midnight hour.    I think what I took from that is that is that despite our well-intentioned mandate in libraries( especially public libraries), it is increasingly difficult to follow through.  A few places, other formats of stored information-film, A/V, television were mentioned as needing to find a place in preservation plans.  I remember hearing that much of the key television broadcast programs have not survived-especially from the early days.  A few places regional repository/centers for housing and caring for low use print materials, last best copy repositories and inter-institutional sharing of archival techniques and responsibilities were mentioned as steps institutions need to take.  I think it may take time, although the Internet helps, to build shared goals in collection development/preservation for the common good and the future of whole collections-too many institutions have much pride in what they possess individually.

Add comment July 14, 2006 paravion2

Cataloging

Reading Reflection-7/3/06 

            Much of this literature presented gives at the core the sense of great upheaval and change that is occurring presently in libraries regarding the role of cataloging.  Once of the big ideas I discovered through the readings is this.  The Web and its creations have launched an era of unprecedented collaboration and exchange between previously isolated groups.  This is evident in the movement to update AARC2, LCSH, and the MARC standard to accommodate the needs for creation of complete and accessible information in a digital environment.  It is also evident in the ability to collaborate toward a goal of access through metadata creation in all the avenues that are being developed and standardized.  I think the Google interview, though it is a bit dated, provides an excellent perspective on another big idea I believe is evident-the isolation and misinformation about the nature of libraries and cataloging within libraries.  The Google director of research when asked about libraries, seemed to see its role as only in the domain of books, distrusted embedded metadata, and seemed to welcome suggestions on how to help users “search”.  The techniques of data mining, developing means of providing access to information through keywords and using established “sources”-these activities are truly deep in core library technical services function. 

The current trend of cataloging in house operations cut and replaced outsourcing companies in library settings is not indicative of a trade that has seen its day, but in my opinion it indicates that the world of libraries being islands unto themselves is no more.  It indicates that global market forces have now entered into the domain of libraries to the point where an area such as cataloguing is bound to change and adapt.  This big idea seemed present in all of the articles- the conclusions and recommendation often called for greater collaboration between groups.  Catalogers concern with subject access, adherence to standards and providing as much uniformity in the process has at its core the patron in mind-it is a public service in my opinion.  Continually, cataloging and the activity involved in doing such, seem to be not generally thougnt of as “public or user services” thoughout the reading, but the push toward change and adaptation points catalogers in the direction of collaboration and engaging in other areas of library functions.  Even the field of “web cataloging” is a result of this type of change.

Add comment July 8, 2006 paravion2

Versatility and a law degree-technical services librarians new challenge

Readings for 6/28/06- reflectionAyanna LewisLIS 578LE, Summer 2006 

            The readings challenged me to think out of “traditional” library duties or what I perceived as being those duties and look to what is now required of the profession-versatility and knowing business and legalese being some of those duties.  In the Herbert White piece, the quote that stayed with me throughout the rest of the readings was that in the findings of a reviewer of library sources it was found “that the greatest number of applications is not for hardware or software to increase librarians expertise, it is for tools to make users totally independent of us.”   This Herbert warns leads librarianship away from professionalism and toward a state of being “keepers of the warehouse.”  What then is the challenge to librarians –in particular in technical services?  It is the challenge to not become “keepers of the warehouse, but integral professionals and “information specialists” that have the ability to fine tune how information is accessed in the institution for the patrons it serves.  The world of e-books and negotiation of contracts for electronic resources- I have first hand experience watching from afar others in my organization work skillfully on behalf of libraries within the large system.  I believe now, that along with that essential “Cataloging” I , and ( in my opinion) preservation course, graduate library ( and “information”) programs should have “versatility” and “how to affect change in your library system for the benefit and future of the community served”-courses.  I’m not sure how to make that title get more concise.

Add comment June 28, 2006 paravion2

Reflections from Readings (on-campus & 6/21/06)

On campus readings- reflectionAyanna LewisLIS 578LE, Summer 2006 

            So when I signed up for this course, I was so nervous.  I was even more so when I looked over the syllabus and the reading list.  But after having spent the two days on campus and having read the first set of readings, I have found myself to be on surer ground.  I kept commenting to myself as I read each article things such as, “ I do that all of the time”, or “preservation is part of technical services?”.  I guess I too, had preconceptions about technical services being more about the operations and physical side and less about being part of user services.  This split in the field between “tech services” and “public services” as Boissonnas calls it is the divide that needs refinement and redefinition.  From this basic understanding, which previous to these readings, I had not been keenly aware of, I viewed the various schools of how technical services should evolve or change.  Ross Atkinson seems to be of the school of thought that “disintermediation” (I had to read that one over again and revisit some earlier notes from another class) is what libraries what to achieve.  Focus and attention should be given to the systems that can support archival function, quality records and information about them(metadata) and so forth will support the user being able to access information without the library’s traditional mediation seems to be what Atkinson is advocating.   Gorman’s assertion that library schools have lost it by allowing students to graduate with MLS degrees without cataloging is preposterous because these types of functions are integral to the nature of the librarian-no such thing as a “user services” librarian without technical sensibilities, truly began to challenge me to think even more critically about the direction of technical services.  The phrase that has stayed with me throughout my reading is that of Allen and Williams.  These authors stated that “the underlying stimulus for change in library operations is technology.”   This seems true along with the ability to change in ways that support the library’s mission being dependent upon library leadership’s  ability to do more( meet changing needs) with less( actual money to operate with).

Readings for 6/21/06- reflectionAyanna LewisLIS 578LE, Summer 2006 

So collection development tools and acquisition set ups that involve approval plans and provide reports that help manage aspects of the collection – this is the direction of libraries?  I felt as I read the articles for this week that the emphasis was to encourage libraries to embrace these methods of interaction with vendors with the assurance that the benefits that far outweigh any problems.  Having services such as Blackwell’s Collection Manager and doing business with vendors that provide analysis tools is a must in terms of cost saving?I guess my separation from the academic library world is beginning to show in that I have this perception that the traditional mandate or practice of collections in academic being as large and extensive as possible is quite acceptable.  Maybe it was once upon a time.  I kept waiting for the aspects of collection development to emerge in the conversation such as –weeding, dealing with migration( book-cassette-cd-other forms and the machines that are used to view these various formats).  I kept waiting for more emphasis on the needs of the community served in collection development and acquisition, but again perhaps I am thinking in terms of my school library experience. 

Add comment June 21, 2006 paravion2