Cataloging Futures

OCLC record use policy: important updates

May 11, 2009: The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) issued their Statement on the Proposed OCLC Policy for Use and Transfer of WorldCat Records.

May 18, 2009: OCLC Review Board on Shared Data Creation and Stewardship reported to the OCLC Members Council and advised that the proposed policy be withdrawn and a new policy be developed.

OCLC policy: take this survey!

Update: April 8, 2009--today's the last day to take this survey!

If you're concerned about the future of bibliographic records, you'll want to take this survey concerning the proposed OCLC policy on shared data creation and stewardship.

The survey is being conducted by the OCLC Review Board on Shared Data Creation and Stewardship. And the deadline for completing the survey is soon: April 8, 2009.

Note to self: just do it :)

ARL task force weighs in on OCLC policy

Via Thingology Blog: The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has just issued a report from their Ad Hoc Task Force to Review the Proposed OCLC Policy for Use and Transfer of WorldCat Records.

Looks like a must-read.

New, ad hoc blog: OCLC's review board on shared data

Another way to join the OCLC policy conversation: OCLC's newly appointed Review Board of Shared Data Creation and Stewardship now has a blog.

Our purpose is to engage the membership and seek your counsel before the new policy is implemented. OCLC has announced it will hold implementation until the third quarter of 2009. Immediately, we will organize information sharing and feedback opportunities with Members Council delegates and with the full membership as well as with other stakeholders in the global library community. We will seek to understand today's environment as it relates to the creation, use and transfer of data and articulate principles of shared data creation consonant with the values of the OCLC cooperative. We are mindful of the vibrant library community we represent and with your feedback, we will seek ways to strengthen our community. The Review Board of Shared Data Creation and Stewardship will present its findings and recommendations to the President of Members Council, the Chair of the Board of Trustees and to the OCLC President and CEO.

We actively seek feedback in a variety of ways and hope that you will be generous in sharing your thoughts with us. You can do so by sending us an email at reviewboard@oclc.org which is a list set up for the use of the Review Board members, or posting comments to us here.

Jennifer A. Younger, chair, OCLC Review Board
Edward H. Arnold Director of Hesburgh Libraries
University of Notre Dame

ALCTS forum on shared library data and OCLC policy

Update: Norman Oder at the Library Journal has done a full write-up of this meeting.

Hey, if you're going to the ALA Midwinter Conference, this is THE forum to go to: ALCTS Forum: Creating and Sustaining Communities Around Shared Library Data, January 26th from 8:00-10:00 AM at the Colorado Convention Center, Korbel Ballroom 3C.

Panelists will share a variety of perspectives on community norms, policies, and best practices for accessing, using, and sharing the data that supports the discovery and delivery of library collections. What can libraries and the organizations that serve them learn from the open data movement and sites like Wikipedia? What principles and practices for shared data creation and maintenance will most help and strengthen libraries in the future? Panelists will also be addressing the changes in the OCLC Record Use Policy, particularly in light of the recent announcement from OCLC on the establishment of the Review Board of Shared Data Creation and Stewardship.

Via Disruptive Library Technology Jester

OCLC establishes review board to look at question of shared library data

Wow, OCLC is listening. I'm sure you know by now that OCLC will convene a Review Board of Shared Data Creation and Stewardship. The press release announcing this decision is a must-read.

Here are my questions for the review board:

• How in an age of social networking can libraries work together and continue a collaboration started in 1967?

• What's different now? What does sharing data and collaboration mean for libraries in 2009?