Cataloging

About: Cataloging is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4770 publications have been published within this topic receiving 32489 citations.

Future-Proofing the Library: Strategies for Acquisitions, Cataloging, and Collection Development

Abstract: The future is not perfectly predictable. However, as serialists it is our job to predict the future in some very real ways, and current trends give us valuable tools for at least figuring out a range of possible future scenarios. Certain trends in particular point to highly likely developments in the near future, and wise libraries will position themselves to deal with those developments. They include a continued drift on the part of researchers away from printed resources, from the library catalog, and from non-unique collections, with a concomittant rise in the importance of unique collections and locally-produced scholarships. Libraries can future-proof themselves by, in part, turning decisively away from resources and services that patrons are abandoning and towards those resources and services that are likely to grow in importance.

Assessing the impact of computer technology on the performance of interlibrary loan networks

Abstract: Performance of interlibrary loan networks in terms of probability of success and average time to satisfy a request is enhanced when location and availability information can be accessed. Existing computer technologies such as shared cataloging networks and automated circulation systems can be of use in obtaining this information. A procedure is presented for quantitative assessment of the impact of these technologies and their various combinations on interlibrary loan activities. As an example, the procedure is utilized for predicting the impact of these computer technologies on the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET). Results show that the value of location information as obtained from a shared cataloging network or similar technology is highly dependent on the information being specific enough to free the lending library from searching their own main catalog. The value of availability information is shown to be related to the processing time that can be avoided by having prior information about the circulation status of the desired item. These results are dependent on the policies employed in Illinois. However, the assessment procedures presented here have general applicability to interlibrary loan networks.

The MARC standard and encoded archival description

Abstract: This case study details the evolution of descriptive practices and standards used in the Mount Holyoke College Archives and the Five College Finding Aids Access Project, discusses the relationship of Encoded Archival Description (EAD) and the MARC standard in reference to archival description, and addresses the challenges and opportunities of transferring data from one metadata standard to another The study demonstrates that greater standardization in archival description allows archivists to respond more effectively to technological change

Reference Structures: Stagnation, Progress, and Future Challenges.

Abstract: An assessment of the current state of reference structures in online public access catalogs (OPACs) is presented in a framework defined by stagnation, progress, and future challenges. "Stagnation" refers to the limited and inconsistent reference structure access provided in today's OPACs. "Progress" refers to improved OPAC reference structure access and reference structure possibilities that extend beyond those commonly represented in existing subject authority control tools. The progress discussion is supported by a look at professional committee work, data modeling ideas, ontological theory, and one area of linguistic research. The discussion ends with a list of six areas needing attention if reference structure access is to be improved in the future OPAC environment. The need for access to subject reference structures (hereafter referred to as "reference structures") was one of the many features included in the original Consortium to Develop an Online Catalog (CONDOC 1981) report, which has served as a master request for proposal (RFP) for OPAC development during nearly the last two decades.(1) Now, sixteen years later, in preparation for CONDOC 2, it seems timely to assess the current state of reference structures in online catalogs. The following discussion is an expanded version of a talk by this author on the current state of OPAC reference structures, which was presented at the Library and Information Technology Association Authority Control Interest Group (LITA/ACIG) program "Subject Authorities in the Nineties," American Library Association Annual Conference, 1996. The assessment is based on sampling OPACs via the Internet and soliciting feedback from professional colleagues via AUTOCAT, an electronic discussion group for professional catalogers.(2) The results of these investigative activities, albeit not scientific, reveal a mixed bag of confusion stemming from reference structure inconsistencies in today's OPACs and excitement stemming from new reference structure possibilities. These observations are outlined below in a framework defined by stagnation, progress, and future challenges. Reference Structures The familiar reference structures built into many subject authority control tools include equivalent, hierarchical, and associative relationships. These relationships are most commonly represented by thesaural abbreviations, which include UF for "used for," USE for "use," BT for "broader term," NT for "narrower term," and RT for "related term." Other reference structure components include scope notes, see also references, and classification notation, found in tools such as the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH).(3) Reference structures serve two constituencies: (1) processing staff (i.e., catalogers and indexers), and (2) system users (i.e., library patrons and reference librarians). On the processing end, the reference structure network helps the cataloger to select the appropriate term or terms when cataloging an item. Generally, the most specific term is assigned. However, the assignment of a term is also dependent on the size of the collection and how other similar items have been previously treated. That is, a more general term may be selected if it will help to collocate materials at the level desired in a particular library. Reference structures, provided they are accessible and clearly understood, can help users with the selection of the most appropriate search term or terms. Reference structures tell users when a term is not authorized by highlighting one that is established. Reference structures also facilitate browsing, help users to discover new topics, and ensure the collocation of retrieval results. While most cataloging and reference librarians are familiar with the reference structure network of BT, NT, RT, etc., the majority of library users may actually think reference structures are a recent invention, as they are far from being consistently available in operational OPACs. …