Cataloging Futures

Diane Hillmann's new presentation: Facing Forward

I think Diane Hillmann is going to drag us kicking and screaming into the cataloging future! Here's her latest contribution: Facing Forward: The Challenges Facing Cataloging and Catalogers [ppt].

If you want to stay on the cutting edge, don't miss this one.

Via The FRBR Blog

Learning to code, or, My life with angle brackets

I think we can all agree that not all metadata librarians need to learn programming. But, depending on your library's setup some of you will. I fall into this latter camp. Our digital library development is on the geeky side and I've had to learn XQuery programming. It started painfully, but has turned into a joyful experience. I'm hooked.

So, you may wonder why. Well it started out that I'd be using XQuery to develop an in-house tool kit for my everyday metadata work: for things like quality control. Also, we're using DOIs and I'm extracting metadata to create an XML document to submit to CrossRef, our DOI provider.

But the plot thickens: I'm working with my colleague (who's much better at programming than I am) to develop some XQuery code to use the new WorldCat Search API for one of our digital project. I may also be involved with our digital library user interface.

At some point I'll weigh in on why I think it's helpful to understand computer programming. For now I just wanted to share a little piece of my metadata life with XML: the world of angle brackets.

Goodbye 440 field!

Well, it's official the 440 field in the MARC 21 format is now obsolete:

The Program for Cooperative Cataloging has issued the following guidelines for implementing the recent decision to make field 440 obsolete. The PCC recommends that members implement this change beginning Oct 24, 2008.

Sincerely
Les Hawkins
CONSER Coordinator
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20740
v. 202 707-5185
lhaw at loc.gov

I haven't followed the development of this change closely, but did want to make note of it.

Cataloging is a calling

Catalog Librarian, Amy Ranger, recently gave a presentation on the future of cataloging at the Michigan Library Association Annual Conference. On her blog, Lifelong learning, she writes:

Oh, and the future of cataloging? Well, the work itself is a calling. People don’t do that sort of nit-picky, detailed, thankless work if they don’t absolutely love it. The rules right now are in flux, systems are changing, and the economy is tighter than it’s been in decades… the obvious answer, then is that catalogers will muddle along, as best they can. They will make do with what they have, and give their best shot to provide access to materials right now for their users. After all, that is what cataloging is all about.

New president, new cataloging code

It seems the week of November 3rd holds promise on two fronts: we'll be electing a new president and finally getting to see the full draft of the new cataloging code: Resource Description and Access (RDA):

Dear Colleagues,

The full draft of RDA will be available for Constituency Review during the week of November 3rd. Our intent is to issue it in a preliminary version of the software with Browse and Quick Search functionality. We will provide you with the appropriate URL from which you will be able both to view and print the full draft.

As a contingency, if we cannot issue the full draft with the preliminary software release during the week of November 3rd, we will release it in PDF as scheduled on the JSC Website. You will be able to download PDF versions of the chapters and appendices from the JSC Website. We will then inform you when the full draft is available in the preliminary version at a later date. More detailed information will be forthcoming in the cover letter accompanying the full draft.

Nathalie Schulz, Secretary, JSC
For the Committee of Principals and the Co-Publishers

Earlier this week it sounded like the release date of RDA was going to be Halloween.

Okay, time to load the printer with paper!

Free cataloging and metadata training manuals from LC

Last year I mentioned how much I'd learned taking the cataloging and metadata training programs developed by the Library of Congress. Well, now the training materials for these workshops are free via the Cataloging and Distribution Service (CDS)! Here's a list of what's available:

Cataloging Skills (CCT)

* Basic Creation of Name and Title Authorities
* Basic Subject Cataloging Using LCSH
* Fundamentals of Series Authorities
* Fundamentals of Library of Congress Classification

The Digital Library Environment (Cat21)

* Digital Project Planning & Management Basics
* Metadata and Digital Library Development
* Metadata Standards and Applications
* Principles of Controlled Vocabulary and Thesaurus Design
* Rules and Tools for Cataloging Internet Resources

Continuing Resources (SCCTP)

* Advanced Serials Cataloging
* Basic Serials Cataloging
* Electronic Serials Cataloging
* Integrating Resources Cataloging
* Serials Holdings

Free access to ALA's American Libraries Direct and more ...

Some important news about American Libraries:

1. Our weekly e-newsletter, American Libraries Direct, is now available to anyone who wants to sign up for it, not just ALA members. The sign-up form, as well as the FAQ, is at http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/aldirect/aldirect.cfm .

2. American Libraries has launched its own blog, AL Inside Scoop. Editor-in-chief Leonard Kniffel offers an insider’s view of goings-on at ALA headquarters and what hot topics ALA staffers are talking about in the hallways. Associate Editor Greg Landgraf offers his perspective from “the lower floors” of what many see as the ALA ivory tower.

3. Login is no longer required to view the current issue of the American Libraries print magazine online (in PDF format), or to view the archives, which date back to the January 2003 issue. Go directly to http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/alonlineebrary/alonlineebrary.cfm . First-time viewers will need to install the ebrary reader to view issues. To download, go to http://site.ebrary.com/lib/ala/Download . Firefox 3 users installing the reader for the first time will need a workaround, http://www.ebrary.com/kb/users/ff3install.jsp , to make the ebrary reader work with their browser.

Via George M. Eberhart, Editor, American Libraries Direct

Diane Hillmann on the future of cataloging and catalogers

Another interesting workshop: this one being offered by NELINET:

Cataloger turned metadata maven Diane Hillmann will discuss the transformation of catalogers into metadata librarians and how the evolving environment for cataloging is reshaping the cataloging world. She will lead participants on a tour of the current and future cataloging environment, including RDA, the Semantic web, and the DCMI/RDA Task Group (which she co-leads). She will also discuss some of the projects that she has been working on and where they may lead cataloging in the future. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion of the future for catalogers and cataloging.

New cataloger scenario on the DCMI/RDA Task Group wiki

Interested to see what our RDA/FRBR cataloging future might look like?

Over on the DCMI/RDA Task Group wiki, Diane Hillmann just added a new cataloger scenario: "Scenario 6: Complex Relationships--Older Materials." A snippet to whet your cataloging appetite:

Joshua Cataloger was working on a collection of materials accumulated by a nineteenth century criminal lawyer who practiced near Saratoga, NY. This lawyer worked on several high visibility murder cases (the reality TV of the 19th century) and kept meticulous records of his trials, including extensive newspaper reports, in scrapbooks. He published (as was common during this time) books that included his lengthy summations to juries and other testimony and comment during trial. He also had a habit of pasting letters and other related items inside the front and back covers of volumes he owned.

Joshua was working on the records of one infamous murder trial (which went to two trials after the accused was found to have tampered with the first jury), and found that one of the letters pasted in front of a copy of his published “Closing argument of Nathaniel C. Moak at Ballston Spa, October 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 1879 ...” was from Wilkie Collins, credited for the first mystery novels. Joshua transcribed the letter, and discovered that it was in reply to Moak, who had mentioned Collins’ novel The Moonstone in his argument and had sent a copy of the book to Collins.

Workshop: Making Metadata: Turning Theory into Product

If you can get yourself to Columbus, Ohio, the Central Ohio Chapter of the American Society for Information Science and Technology and OHIONET is offering what looks like a great workshop on Tuesday, November 18, 2008:

Making Metadata: Turning Theory into Product

If you want to learn about the realities of creating metadata, this hands-on workshop will help move you from theory to practice. From selecting the appropriate standards to implementing a quality control process, there are many stages of successful metadata creation. This workshop will include exercises and explorations to help you create quality metadata.

Audience: This workshop is for catalogers, librarians, and library staff who have been exposed to the concepts of metadata and want to learn about the day-to-day aspects of producing metadata.

Instructors: Morag Boyd and Melanie Schlosser, The Ohio State University

Date/Time: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM