August 5, 2006 paravion2
Ayanna LewisFinal Synthesis PaperLIS 578 LE , Summer 2006
The technical services field in libraries is undergoing constant change and pressure to change, I’ve discovered through this course. The literature presented many questions. What are cataloging practices envisioned as optimal in the future? How does change in cataloging translate to libraries in transition? Based on the literature, how does a library’s preservation department need to look in the 21st century and beyond? What issues and challenges are market forces and technological change presenting to libraries as evident in acquisitions and collection development? Electronic resources also change the nature of the collection as a whole. How are libraries handling this issue?Cataloguing-Mini OverviewEven in one of my other LEEP courses this summer, a need was expressed by practitioners to have a more “user-friendly” catalog for patrons. Just this conversation alone signals that this is a time when the catalog is set to undergo transformation. Classification systems such as LC and cataloguing schemes such as AARC2 , seem to have roots in design from the card catalog print record. This is a round peg in a square box for other types of records, especially serials. Deeken’s article calling for three answers to the catalog question being either: 1) eliminate the cataloging rules or 2) change the cataloging rules or 3) exploit technology to address cataloging needs truly speak to the state of the catalog. I agree with Deeken’s conclusion to pursue the above-mentioned option three as a means of making the catalog more accessible to users now and in the future. What are some of those “exploitable technologies”?New TrendsUtilization of technology tools such as XML or RDF(Resource Description Framework) is suggested by Deeken to make the catalog more accessible to everyone and she suggests that library systems and vendors work to provide “continuous link between local and national resources”. Also key are the uses of metadata to inform cataloging. Some portions of the library community are at the forefront of changing the face of the catalog. Karen Calhoun’s report, http://www.loc.gov/catdir/calhoun-report-final.pdf is an example of the trend to seriously address the need for libraries to truly be accessible via the catalog, and for major change of the current catalog, interface in order to meet current demand. When I looked over
North Carolina
State
University’s library page http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/, I saw a library trying to adapt. It seems like “Yahoo” type directory page, and makes it a familiar format to many users. Serials-New PracticeThe emergence of cooperative groups that catalog is nothing new. The method and resources that efforts such as CONSER (a group with part of the goals being on-going serials cataloguing training) and the ISSN ( International Standard Serials Number) are. Also among other groups the call for AARC2 revision and MARC 21 standard revision to include a multiple 260 fields to allow to help cataloging resources.Electronic ResourcesAllen and Williams stated that “the underlying stimulus for change in library operations is technology.” It is not surprising to me that electronic resources have come on the scene. These resources have appeal because of the allure of accessibility on our terms, I think. This seems true along with the ability to change in ways that support the library’s mission-providing access to information. The “e-book”-not at all a problem for my young patrons (school library) is one of these resources that reflect the change in libraries. The novelty of reading a “book” on the computer with graphics that are suited to the electronic environment seem to be a draw, as well as access. Web resources such as the access to information and instantaneous information/” opinions” via blogs, and through RSS feeds are also evident. Do libraries need to be more “instantaneous information” minded? These are questions raised by the very existence of some of the formats mentioned above.The E-Journal and is various shades and forms also provide the patron with current information in various fields with great currency. E-journals are precarious and not so straightforward in the “purchase” process. Licensing-OverviewThe world of e-books and electronic journals and and resources come with negotiation of contracts for those electronic resources. I’ve observed watching from afar others in my organization work skillfully on behalf of libraries within the large system. The task: spend funds as wisely as possible, providing the most access for your patrons to the resources without hidden backfiring expenses or terms. Collection DevelopmentCollection development, I’ve found to be an important means of supporting the purpose or mission of the library. 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. Preservation is a key component of collection development. Acquire what is needed and preserve what is needed for the benefit of the community-these are the tasks of libraries. PreservationPreservation is a part of technical services?” Preservation is a vital part of the field. Preservation cannot really be separated from collection development in the 21st century and, 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. 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.” I read this semester 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. 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. 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. AcquisitionsOne aspect of acquisitions that I emerged with a bit more understand, is that the result of having electronic resources changes the look of the rest of the purchasing budget-there is less to spend on other types of materials. Another aspect in acquisitions, but truly applicable to cataloging in particular is the outsourcing of traditionally in-house library functions.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? There seems to be a strong emphasis 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.Conclusion 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. I think that despite our well-intentioned mandate in libraries( especially public libraries), it is increasingly difficult to follow through. This big idea seemed present in all of the articles- the conclusions and recommendation often called for greater collaboration between groups locally, nationally and internationally.Cataloging practice is facing a shift due to electronic resources, multiple formats. It is in a state of revision. 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. Electronic resources acquisition, now, equals licensing negotiation. 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 guess I had this idea about technical services being more about the operations and physical side and less about being part of user services.
ReferencesAllen, Nancy H. and James F. Williams II. “The Future of Technical Services: an Administrative Perspective ( In Advances in Librarianship, ed. By Irene Godden.
San Diego, Academi Press, 1995. v. 19:159-189.
Calhoun, Karen. The Changing Nature of the Catalog and its Integration with Other Discovery Tools.
Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 2006. [Available online at http://ww.loc.gov/catdir/calhoun-report-final.pdf (accessed August 2, 2006).
Deeken, JoAnne. “Cataloguing: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” Serials Librarian 44(1/2): 143-153 (2003).
Hirons, Jean. “Seriality: What Have We Accomplished? What’s Next? Cataloguing & Classification Quarterly 36(3/4): 121-140
Miller, Kathryn Metzinger. “Behind Every Great Virtual Library Stand Many Great Licenses” Library Journal netConnect Winter 2003.
Smith, Abby. “Preservation in the Future Tense.” CLIR Issues no. 3:1,6 (May/June 1998)
Entry Filed under: Final Synthesis Paper
