Showing papers on "Resource Description and Access published in 1997"

Resources description in the digital age

Abstract: Resource description, known more familiarly within the library community as cataloging or indexing, is undergoing intense scrutiny with the rapid proliferation of, and access to, digital resources. There are many initiatives addressing a range of issues. The author references the following discussions and proposals: the need for, and definition of, a basic set of metadata elements; the examination of library cataloging objectives and record structures; persistent addresses for resources; and the proposal for a data registry to facilitate interoperability among metadata schemes. The importance of a framework for resource discovery created through formal resource description is reiterated.

What is a work

Abstract: Discusses how to define the concept of work, how to name a work, how to provide access to works under variant names, the structure of the catalog and methods of demonstrating relationships, and then, in conclusion, recommendations for changes in AACR2 (which was later called Resource Description and Access, or RDA for short). Includes a discussion of the following problem conditions not yet adequately addressed in AACR2: collaborative works of mixed responsibility; collaborative works of mixed responsibility produced in stages with portions of the collaborative work existing as separable pieces; works intended for performance; preexisting works reissued with additional material; preexisting works transformed or adapted into new works in other ways; represented works; works of changing authorship (serials and revised editions).

The Electronic Library. Electronic University Library.

Abstract: The present article attempts, first, to clarify the “Electronic Library” concept as originally conceived by Dowlin in his Electronic Library and also that of the academic library as described in the context of electronic campus. Then, the selected electronic library projects in Europe, to which the author conducted study visits in recent years, are introduced to illustrate different approaches to the electronic library. The key points to be considered in planning and implementing an electronic library in the university library setting are described. These points were drawn from an analysis of existing electronic library projects. Finally, the recent report of the Committee on Science Information, Science Council, to the Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture entitled “Strengthening Electronic Library Functions in the University Library” is discussed in light of academic library development in the information society.

A Model Curriculum for Cataloging Education

Abstract: The theory versus practice issue in library and information science education in general and in cataloging education in particular has long been debated. This may be due in part to the fact that library and information science is a practicing profession. Decreasing budgets, dependence on technology, the availability of bibliographic utilities, and the outsourcing of cataloging may contribute to the debate and concern associated with cataloging education. A new Library and Information Services Program at University College of the University of Denver was designed to incorporate the research and scholarly thought and the practice of the library and information science discipline with other related disciplines. The cataloging component developed for the program utilizes active learning techniques supplemented by a theoretical core.

The German National Bibliography 1601-1700: digital images in a cooperative cataloging project

Abstract: This article describes the concept and realization of the German National Bibliography 1601-1700. The GNB is an extensive cataloging project funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation). At present, six libraries with important holdings covering this period take part in the project. The technical prerequisites have been developed by the Bavarian Research Center For Knowledge-Based Systems (FORWISS), which over the last few years has gained competence in digital library systems. The GNB is conceived as a database for shared cataloging. It is a large-scale bibliographic project with digitized images of key pages forming an integral part of the bibliographic description.

Which Library is Mine? The University Library and the Independent Scholar

Abstract: The Independent Scholars' Association of Australia met in Canberra in May 1997 to discuss the impact of the collecting policies of libraries and the access and discard policies of archives on their activities. This article is an edited version of a paper which sought to show what a university library could and could not do for an independent scholar.

National Library of Education.

Abstract: The National Library of Education is the largest federally funded library in the world devoted entirely to education. In March 1994, Congress created this new national library, bringing together the former U.S. Department of Education Research Library; the 1-800 user service; INet (ED/OERI's Internet site and services); and the Technology Resources Center. These units now operate in partnership with the ERIC to carry out reference and referral services; collection and technical services; resource sharing and cooperation, including Internet Services (INet); and marketing/public relations. NLE is planning a network of national education technology and related resources. The network will promote greater cooperation and resource sharing among education and library professionals, policymakers, the public and other providers and repositories of education information in America. It will also apply information science, computer and telecommunications technologies for the enhancement of education information dissemination.

Visioning the future of the digital library

Abstract: The electronic or digital library is just beginning to take shape throughout the world, including the world of libraries. To talk about the electronic library for children requires a futuristic approach. This article is a well grounded fantasy with practical insights revealing a scenario for a library of the future.

Insourced or outsourced: a tale of two libraries

Abstract: Sciences Librarian Library, California State University, Northridge Librarians have heard much of late regarding whether or not to outsource, what to outsource, when to outsource, and why outsourcing would or wouldn't be good for an institution, a career, and a profes ion. The latest hot story in the controversial trend in the field concern Riverside County's public library system in California. Le t professional doom and gloom overtake u we will also look at the background and details involved in the recent in ourcing of a high-tech ba tion, the Sun Microsystems Library. Formerly operating as an archetypal outsourced library, Sun recently decided to insource all eight of their contract library personnel.

Creating Bibliographic and Cataloging Standards and Developing Cooperation in Polish Academic Libraries after the Implementation of VTLS.

Abstract: The article discusses the process of creating bibliographic and cataloging standards, after the implementation of VTLS, in major Polish academic libraries. It examines the adoption of the USMARC format as a standard for the transfer of bibliographic data in Poland, and the editorial work of VTLS libraries resulting in publication of USMARC format manuals for Polish libraries. The question of authority control is studied, with special attention given to the creation of the ckhw (a common online authority database), which includes authority records for series, uniform titles, personal, corporate, and geographic names, and topical subject headings. The development of the KABA subject thesaurus, which is influenced by the RAMEAU and LC subject systems, is discussed, and the structure of subject authority MARC records, as used by Polish libraries, is examined. Finally, the effect of the VTLS implementation upon the establishment of national and local library consortia in Poland is considered. Introduction Polish libraries have been greatly affected by the end of the Cold War. The collapse of communism gave them more freedom in building their collections and in providing access to previously banned materials. Major changes also seem to be taking place in the area of automation of library processes and computerization of libraries' catalogs. These phenomena have been possible thanks to the greater openness of the Polish market to Western European and American computer technologies as well as the generosity of Western, especially American, foundations. In 1992 the Jagiellonian University Library, the Mining and Metallurgy University Library in Cracow, the University of Gdansk Library, and the Warsaw University Library decided to purchase an American integrated library system VTLS (Virginia Tech Library System).[1] VTLS was chosen because the company was able to present the most interesting and affordable offer to Polish libraries.[2] One of VTLS' main attractions was its support of authority control, which would allow Polish libraries to establish and maintain online authority files featuring author, title, and subject authority headings with cross-references.[3] Many in Poland considered it to be a vital part of an integrated library system. Polish librarians were also aware of other European libraries' positive experience with VTLS. By the late '80s the company had already implemented many sites in Europe including Finland, France, the Soviet Union, and the UK.[4] By mid-1997 there were over twenty-two academic libraries in Poland using VTLS and eleven of them had their catalogs available through the Internet.[5] One of the biggest challenges facing these libraries has been the lack of "common library and network and access standards."[6] The implementation of VTLS enhanced cooperation between these libraries and led to the creation of common standards to be used in these institutions. The standards deal with bibliographic data exchange formats, authority control (name, title, and subject headings), and cataloging. The close cooperation between various libraries has taken the form of local and national consortia. These issues will be discussed successively. Bibliographic Data Exchange Format In the early 1980s the National Library in Warsaw developed and popularized MARC-BN (National Library MARC) as a standard bibliographic format. That changed once major academic libraries began to buy foreign integrated library systems (such as VTLS, PROLIB, Horizon, and INNOPAC) in the early 1990s. Since that time more and more libraries, including the National Library, have been using USMARC format for the creation of their bibliographic records. The University of Warsaw Library decided to adopt USMARC as early as 1992. One of the major reasons justifying the selection of USMARC was the format's ability to link bibliographic records smoothly to corresponding authority records. …

Technological Development in Asia: Library Automation in Taiwan

Abstract: Library automation in Taiwan began in the 1970s and has been marked by an impressive array of achievements since the 1980s. In 1972, the Department of Physics at National Tsinghua University began automation using an IBM 1120 computer for the book catalog of Western materials.[1] Three years later, in 1975, Margaret Fung experimented with an integrated library system of acquisitions, cataloging, and circulation on a Wang MVP minicomputer.[2] In 1980, the Chinese Character Code for Information Interchange (CCCII) was completed, and--a year later--the Chinese MARC was developed.[3] In library automation, the National Central Library has taken the helm.[4] Its Automated Information Service (NCLAIS) is the most ambitious library project in Taiwan. In 1980, the National Central Library and the Library Association of China jointly developed the Chinese Library Automation Planning Project with four main objectives: to develop the Chinese MARC format; to organize the data processing system for Chinese-language materials; to create a database for Chinese publications and introduce foreign databases; and to establish a national information network. The National Central Library has developed four main databases: acquisitions, catalog, serials control, and index. The acquisitions database consists of four subfiles, namely: acquisitions, budget control, publishers/suppliers, and statistics. The statistics file provides statistical data on cancellations, budgeting, performance of suppliers, and average price. There is, however, no breakdown by discipline. The index database indexes Chinese periodicals and gazettes published since 1983. About one thousand periodicals and gazettes are regularly reviewed for inclusion. The index database is not yet available for public access. Its print counterparts are Index to Chinese Periodical Literature and Index to Chinese Official Gazettes. A CD-ROM version is also available. The serial control has not operated as part of the integrated system. The best and currently fully implemented database is the online catalog. This database uses the Chinese MARC format, structured on the basis of UNIMARC with modifications to meet local requirements. Full descriptions of bibliographic records in the Chinese language conform with the Chinese cataloging rules and, to a large extent, with the International Standard Bibliographic Descriptions and the second edition of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules. The online catalog database provides the source for publishing the Chinese National Bibliography, a monthly with annual and multiyear cumulations. The online catalog of the National Central Library provides a dozen or so access points, such as title, author, Chinese subject heading, English subject heading, Chinese classification, Library of Congress classification, Chinese printed card number, SuDoc number, ISBN, ISSN, Library of Congress card number, and accession number. In addition, four qualifiers (language, publisher, publication date, and format) are available for restricted searching. A set of Chinese characters can be searched with Boolean logical operators. Four methods can be used for inputting Chinese: three-corner, chuyin (phonetic symbols), ts'ang-chieh (radical index), and simplified ts'ang-chieh. In 1989, the National Central Library purchased a Tandem and developed a cooperative online cataloging project. At present, the National Central Library uses URICA, which began operation in March 1995. A survey of library automation released in 1988 indicates that the National Central Library, the Academia Sinica, nine universities, four colleges, twelve special libraries, and two producers have implemented, developed, or tested their library automated systems to varying degrees.5 In 1984, the National Chengchi University began its automated circulation system designed by First International Computer (FIC), and later developed an FIC integrated library system. …