Cataloging Norms Discussion Group

Cataloging Norms Discussion Group
2008-01-12 ; 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM ; Pennsylvania Convention Center in 109 B ; ALCTS – CCS

Rebecca L. Lubas, Head of Cataloging & Metadata Services, MIT Libraries
Speaking on: “Creating a Metadata Services Unit at MIT Libraries”
• MIT libraries partnered with MIT’s Open Course Ware (OCW) in 20002
• tested and designed the metadata module in OCW’s content management system
• created a metadata production assistant position and metadata specialist position in 2003 for a four year agreement. still going!
• interacting with mainstream lib work more and more
• metadata module: not creating in XML; input interface GUI-based; use Learning Object Metadata; haven’t incorporated creator authority work in module, but do keep authorities in FMP database, hope to integrate in system down the road
• new challenges: demanding deadlines — cost recovery model, promise-by date, takes getting used to as a cataloger

• new challenges: using multiple new standards
• new challenges: increasing dependence on non-librarians for bibliographic information — data isn’t there like in published items — paper drafts, videos, simulations — what is creation date?
• subjects and keywords from classification of instructional programs, LCSH, uncontrolled keywords
• technical metadata determined by the format of the learning object — not just describing for use now, but making a commitment to migrating objects over time
• rights metadata — including Creative Commons licenses
• new customers: Singapore-MIT Alliance — entering Dublin Core metadata in DSpace to archive conference papers
• new customers: LOLA — Learning Objects, Learning Activities — metadata production for Wesleyan University
• new customers: MIT’s Information Systems and Services — create best practices for podcasting — to organize audio files
• new customers: MIT CSAIL research project — working with Cataloging Dept.; artificial intelligence project, creating algorithm for textual materials, pull out subject headings and keywords; compare with trained subject analysts
• expansion: take lessons learned in metadata work and apply to library projects — e.g. VRA Core image metadata workshop taught to entire Cataloging Dept.
• future directions: more catalogers creating metadata using multiple standards — catalogers will have to become comfortable using more standards, working before best practices are established
• future directions: cataloging library’s digital collections — huge pent-up demand; need to broadcast skills and expertise

Charlene Chou, Catalog Librarian, Columbia University Libraries
Speaking on: “Expanding the Cataloger’s Role in the Era of Global Digital Libraries”
• global digital libraries: LC World Digital Library established; objective to digitize the world’s rare cultural materials — IFLA and national library projects — mass digitization projects like Google Books, OCA
• current challenges: multilingual issues with bibliographic and authority records; unicode implementation; multilingual searching on web; multilingual translation tools
• challenges for catalogers: new technology/Google/automated searching; CIP/vendor records/FAST cataloging
• what can be replaced: descriptive and more repetitive work? subject analysis replaced by keywords?
• what can’t be replaced: special research skills for languages and subject domains in library collections; controlled vocabularies and bibliographic standards; collaborative work with collection development, reference dept., and faculty
• new roles catalogers might play in the formation of global digital libraries: indexing journal articles; cataloging digital resources for special collections; supporting institutional repository databases
• new visions: can our cataloging community focus on using our expertise with a more flexible tool/technology? can we focus on developing a robust bibliographic metadata infrastructure rather than focusing on formats? can we focus on professional learning and retooling?
• the future of bibliographic control depends on its visions/goals being future-oriented

Patricia Dragon, Cataloger, Cataloging Department, Joyner Library, East Carolina University
Speaking on: “Authority Control Challenges Presented by Regional Cultural Heritage Digitization Projects”
• need to make strategic choices about what to digitize, turn to unique items held in special collections; make them available worldwide; enduring value and interest beyond our walls
• digital object repository metadata responsibilities: digitization staff adds physical description and technical metadata (scanning info, rights, preferred citation, physical location) — cataloging staff adds title, creator, date, subject headings
• use LCSH, chosen to make items compatible with other resources in catalog
• challenges: nature of images — no interpretation, smaller subject scope, few names found in LCNAF for local images
• establishing names — cataloger must create an AACR2-compliant heading; challenge to “enter as commonly identified,” since name is not so common — time consuming!
• cataloging at the image level — sheer numbers are challenging; difficult to tell what is a “real” name (“Old Tar River Bridge” as proper name or an “old tar river bridge” as generic name?) — correct levels of specificity, consistency, needed to collocate like items
• lack of structure for authority data — cataloger does research, but nowhere to record useful info such as cross-references; data only exists separate from digital repository

NRMIG blogger: Jen Wolfe

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