[Web4lib] ALA ALCTS Cataloging Norms Interest Group - Boston Midwinter Meeting 2010

[Michael Kim]

ALA ALCTS CCS Cataloging Norms Interest Group
ALA Midwinter Program, Boston
Saturday, January 16, 2010, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Grand Ballroom “B”


All are invited to attend the meeting of the Cataloging Norms Interest Group
in Boston on Saturday, January 16 from 1:30 to 3:30, held in the Hyatt
Regency’s Grand Ballroom “B” featuring four speakers on topics ranging from
ETD’s to next-gen catalogs, changing subject headings and perceptions of
quality in cataloging.  Full details follow.

1. Morphing ETD Metadata: A Highly Automated Method of Cataloging Electronic
Theses and Dissertations, presented by Sevim McCutcheon (Catalog Librarian
at Kent State University Libraries)

In Ohio universities, electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) are
replacing print as the required format for thesis and dissertation
submission. This creates a challenge for librarians in terms of finding the
means and time to provide access to yet another type of material. Kent State
University has created a highly automated process to load preliminary
records for ETDs into its KentLINK catalog as soon as the EDT is available
at the OhioLINK EDT Center, thus providing a discovery tool to these
resources almost instantly. A Perl program uses the OAI-PMH protocol to
extract metadata, modifies and enhances the data, and inserts it into our
Innovative Interfaces, Inc. catalog.  Significant effort was made to map the
data from ETD-MS to MARC.  Catalogers are notified by email when a
preliminary MARC record for an ETD has been created.  Using state-wide
standards developed by OhioLINK member libraries, catalogers upgrade the
record and contribute the full bibliographic records to OCLC WorldCat, in
addition to the local and consortial catalogs. By exploiting technology to
input the routine descriptive portion of bibliographic records, staff time
is freed to concentrate on the intellectually challenging portion, full
subject analysis and classification. This efficiency maximizes user access
to Kent State University's intellectual contribution of graduate student
research. The process will be explained, and handouts will be available.

2. See also: Next Generation Catalogs, presented by Martha Sanders
(Knowledge Management Librarian for the Higher Education Library Information
Network Consortium) and Rice Majors (Product Manager with Innovative
Interfaces, Inc. )

As a part of its discovery services evolution, the HELIN Library Consortium
has begun using the Encore discovery services platform to allow patrons to
search the entire portfolio of library collections.   The HELIN Library
Consortium has also been a beta partner library for Encore for the past two
releases, taking on an important role in refining the tight integration of
local authority data to power a “next generation” version of cross
references, with authority data leveraged in Encore as related searches.
 Topics to be discussed include:
• Aspects of discovery that are empowered by the inclusion of local
authority data • The changing role of discovery services platforms • The
experience of being a beta partner and working closely with a vendor

This presentation will be a collaboration between a library practitioner
from the consortium and a senior staff member from the vendor representing
the discovery services platform (Encore).

3. A Study of Catalogers’ Perception of Quality Cataloging, Past and
Present, presented by Karen Snow (Library & Information Sciences Ph.D.
Candidate, University of North Texas)

Quality cataloging’ is a concept whose meaning is often assumed to be
universally understood. However, a survey of library science literature
shows that cataloger perceptions of 'quality cataloging' are not always
consistent.  The problem this study seeks to address is the ambiguous nature
of 'quality' in cataloging and the difficulties in assessing what 'quality
cataloging' means due to differing perceptions of this concept among
catalogers.  This presentation will cover the history of 'quality
cataloging' in library science literature, the reasons for differing
perceptions of 'quality cataloging' amongst catalogers, and how we can gain
a better understanding of cataloger expectations and motivations by studying
these differing perceptions.

4. The Changing Terms in Sears: The Impact of Societal and Cultural Changes
on Subject Headings, presented by Sara Rofofsky Marcus (Electronic Resource
/ Web Librarian, Queensborough Community College, New York)

A presentation on the impact of patron needs and wants on the terminology
used in subject headings, particularly Sears subject headings.  Headings
change over time, and words / concepts change over time.  It is rare,
however, that these changes occur simultaneously, or even near each other.
 The authorized headings used in subject headings lists do change, but the
rate of change varies in relation to the changes in common vernacular or
discover of new concepts.  This presentation would focus on changes in Sears
in the areas of LGBT and Judaism, and how these changes have occurred in
relation to changing topics.  What do these changes imply about changing
society, and are these reflections truly correct.


Rebecca Routh, co-chair
Catalog Librarian
University of Iowa Libraries
Rebecca-routh at uiowa.edu

Michael Kim, co-chair
Head, Cataloging & Metadata Services
University of Miami Richter Library
michaelkim at miami.edu