[Web4lib] The "Ultimate Debate" at ALA Annual 2008

[Fisher, Joseph]

For its third straight year, the "Ultimate Debate" returns to ALA for
another lively discussion on a provocative topic.  

 

The title for this year's debate is 

"There's No Catalog Like No Catalog: The Ultimate Debate on the Future
of the Library Catalog"

 

Karen Coyle joins Stephen Abram, Joe Janes, and Karen Schneider on the
debate panel. 

Roy Tennant will return as moderator.

 

Time and location is Saturday, June 28, 1:30 - 3:30 pm, at the Hyatt
Grand A.

 

We have proposed the following debate questions and thought that it
would be helpful to open the process up for discussion. Please respond
with comments and suggestions. 

 

We will post the final set of questions on the ALA Conference Materials
Wiki. If your suggestion is not included, please bring your questions to
the program. There will be ample opportunity to participate in the
discussion.

 

 

1) What are library catalogs good for and not good for?

 

2) What is the appropriate role for the library catalog in the library
information environment?

 

3) Could one big catalog do it for everyone?

 

4) Should library catalogs be offered to users as a finding tool, or are
they better served by systems that unify access to other sources of
information as well?

 

5) Is traditional cataloging a roadblock to the future of the ILS?

 

6) At what level should catalog services be provided -- locally by an
in-house system or on the network by a network service provider?

 

7) Do open source solutions offer a compelling option, either now or in
the near-future?

 

8) What changes do you see coming in the library software market and how
will those changes affect options for libraries?

 

9) If you could snap your fingers and do one thing to the current
library software market, what would it be?

 

 

Thank you for you participation. 

 

 

This event is brought to you by LITA's Internet Resources and Services
Interest Group (IRSIG).

 

IRSIG's Annual meeting will be held Sunday, June 29, 10:30 - noon, at
the Hilton Anaheim - Salinas Room. All are welcome to attend.

 

Joseph Fisher

IRSIG Chair

joseph_fisher at uml.edu