Cataloger's Interest Group - July 26, 2007 Meeting Notes
Present: Leoma Dunn (Thomas More College), Charles Dyer (Hamilton City School District), Brother Joseph Haley (St. Clement Friary), Diane Knapp (Preble County District), Galena Lewandowicz (student, Kent State program), Aaron Smith (Clermont County Public), Margaret Whitehead (Boone County Public), Doug Williams (Campbell County Public)
Guest: Anne Abate (SWON Executive Director)
Transformation Lab - Prototyping the Future
- We watched a video presentation documenting the main points of a grant-funded experiment in building an interactive library (in Denmark), and used that as a point of departure for a long discussion of possible catalog enhancements along Library 2.0 lines.
- We concluded that the key word in the unfolding user-library relationship is engagement, and that the definition of that word is evolving. Interactivity is important to a significant portion of the current generation, but that means more than just listening or learning; somehow, these users feel a need to imprint their work and their play with their own signatures.
Catalog enhancements
- We looked at open-source catalogs (e.g., Ann Arbor District Library) that allow user-tagging to supplement MARC, and we looked at the LibraryThing for Libraries product (e.g., Danbury [Connecticut] Public), which applies user tags derived from the LibraryThing website and superimposes them on existing MARC in proprietary catalogs. We are aware of enhanced products issued recently by the major system vendors (Innovative’s Encore, Ex Libris’ Primo) which are aimed at the same kind of interactive appeal.
Access
- We agreed that access to information remains our charge, and that responding to our mission statements and our service populations is still the most important part of our work. How best do we do that?
- Should the cataloging community push for continued investment in MARC, or should we actively explore other organizational schema? What are the implications for either path? Opinions around the table varied, as seems to be the case in the larger cataloging community.
RDA
- Most of us do not seem concerned about the coming Resource Description and Access (heir-apparent to AACR2R); those who are concerned feel powerless to affect the process. We are generally keeping track of synopses of the RDA drafts, but few of us are digging into the detail.
- For most of us, too many other variables affect our work to invest energy and speculation in the future of cataloging.
Videoconferencing
- We have discussed the possibility of videoconferencing in regard to our interest group meetings, but Anne’s input suggests that the infrastructural challenges make such an arrangement difficult, especially with our relatively large number and geographically diverse participation in the Cataloger’s Interest Group. We are still interested in the possibility of establishing an active discussion group in the northeast quadrant of SWON.
Upcoming and future programs
- Audiobook cataloging – August 30, with Carol Bradsher
- Aaron will query the listserv regarding potential programs. Coming relatively soon (Sept. 27-28) is a window where a two-day SCCTP (Serials Cataloging Cooperative Training Program) workshop led by Joe Hinger could be arranged. We need to get it arranged as soon as possible, and we would be unwise to lose this opportunity. Possible topics include:
- Basic Serials Cataloging
- Advanced Serials Cataloging
- Cataloging Electronic Serials
- Integrated Resources Cataloging
- MARC Holdings format
- There is an ongoing request for a workshop on cataloging video material.
SWON catalogers' website
- An informal query of the panel found that while no one uses the Group’s catalogers page on a regular basis, we do occasionally consult it for assistance. Aaron will ask Glen if an RSS feed might be provided to that page to notify us of updates.
- Evaluation is ongoing, and feedback solicited!
Resources for smaller projects
- We identified some sources that will help provide guidance for one of our members’ more modest efforts, which served as a reminder that we have access to resources which can make a difference in the even the smallest library.
Next meeting: Thursday, 25 October 2007, 1:30-4:00, SWON HQ, Blue Ash
Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Smith
Cataloging/Reference Services
Clermont County Public Library
513.735.7147
smithaa@oplin.org
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