Kevin M. Randall

RDA: End of the World Postponed?

The author discusses issues and controversy concerning the new cataloging code Resource Description and Access (RDA) and the results of a test of RDA conducted by the Library of Congress, the National Library of Medicine, and the National Agricultural Library.

Why the Internet is More Attractive than the Library

Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist at OCLC Research, discussed results of her research of library user information-seeking behavior and user attitudes toward the library. She discovered that while students and researchers are confident in their own ability to find and use information, information literacy has not kept pace with digital literacy and there is a need for education and support. These findings have implications for librarians and the development of library services to make libraries more relevant today.

Latest entry legacies : Confessions of a guerrilla cataloger

ABSTRACT The author reflects on Northwestern University Librarys involvement with latest entry cataloging in the mid 1980s through the mid 1990s. He explains why the practice was instituted, the reasons for which it was stopped, and what the lessons learned may mean for the future.

Creativity in serials cataloging : Heresy or necessity ?

Abstract The concept of creativity in cataloging was defined. Creativity presupposes thorough knowledge of cataloging rules and standards. The goal of creative cataloging is to adapt records in order to enhance patron access to information in the library database. Using examples from various types of serial records, the workshop leaders discussed creative cataloging methods in the online environment.

Inventing the Can Opener: Getting the Most Out of Discovery

The presenters discussed a case study of the implementation of federated search and discovery layer systems at the University Libraries of the University of Colorado at Boulder. They described the particular environment and the steps taken during the implementation and follow up with an examination of decisions that libraries need to make when implementing discovery systems. Among issues addressed were the user experience with the interface and the ways in which source data are presented.

Discovering Music: Small-Scale, Web-Scale, Facets, and Beyond

In this presentation, two music librarians addressed the issues related to the discovery of library music resources. Rebecca Belford talked about the Music Library Association’s “Music Discovery Requirements” (MLA MDR) document, and how it applies to some contexts. Tracey Snyder then described the incorporation of MLA MDR into the development of a specific discovery interface. The presenters identified some of the challenges characteristic of music resources and ways in which those challenges may be met, reasoning that a tool capable of handling music will be capable of handling most things in a general collection.

Cataloging serials reproductions: Annoying applications-reprint serials

SUMMARY Keiko Okuhara, Japanese Catalog Librarian at the University of Pittsburgh, presented guidelines and detailed instruction on the cataloging of microform reproductions and paper-based reprints. She used citations to the standard cataloging tools and used sample records to illustrate her points. The final portion of her presentation dealt with matters affecting the future direction of reproduction cataloging, such as the forthcoming revision to AACR2 and developments relating to multiple versions.