Benefits of Batch Reclamation: The Kent State University Libraries Experience

Bibliographic records in the Innovative library catalog at Kent State University Libraries had fallen out of synchronization with the Libraries’ holdings represented on OCLC's WorldCat database. The Libraries made a decision to undertake a batch reclamation project with OCLC to re-synch their holdings on WorldCat. This project was beneficial for both parties. OCLC received a clean copy of the Libraries’ database, while the Libraries were able to improve the quality of their local bibliographic data and address problem areas in the catalog. This case study is intended to provide a reference for other libraries considering OCLC batch reclamation projects.     

Attitudes among German- and English-Speaking Librarians toward (Automatic) Subject Indexing

The survey described in this article investigates the attitudes of librarians in German- and English-speaking countries toward subject indexing in general, and automatic subject indexing in particular. The results show great similarity between attitudes in both language areas. Respondents agree that the current quality standards should be upheld and dismiss critical voices claiming that subject indexing has lost relevance. With regard to automatic subject indexing, respondents demonstrate considerable skepticism—both with regard to the likely timeframe and the expected quality of such systems. The author considers how this low acceptance poses a difficulty for those involved in change management.     

Wikipedia Knows the Value of What the Library Catalog Forgets

Abstract

Shifting library catalogs from physical to digital has come at a cost. Catalog records no longer leave traces of their own evolution, which is a loss for librarianship. The subjective nature of information classification warrants self-examination, within which we may see the evolution of practice, debates over attribution and relevance, and how culture is reflected in the systems used to describe it. Wikipedia models what is possible: revision histories and discussion pages function as knowledge generators. A list of unanswerable questions for the modern catalog urges us to construct a new, forward-thinking bibliography that allows us to look backward.     

Complexity of Work Families and Entity-Based Visualization Displays

Abstract

Conceptual modeling of bibliographic data, including the FR models and the consolidated IFLA LRM, has provided an opportunity to shift focus to entities and relationships and to support hierarchical work-based exploration of bibliographic information. This paper reports on a study examining the complexity of a work's bibliographic family data and user interactions with data visualizations, compared to traditional displays. Findings suggest that the FRBR-based visual bibliographic information system supports work families of different complexities more equally than a traditional system. Differences between the two systems also show that the FRBR-based system was more effective especially for related-works and author-related tasks.     

21st Century Library Systems

ABSTRACT

Less than a decade into the 21st century, perhaps it is more fitting to describe library automation as approaching its 80th birthday, is a time to look back and carefully measure moving forward. Since the introduction of a punch card circulation system at the University of Texas in 1936, through the advent and perseverance of the MARC record, and following the ebb and flow of nearly 75 different library automation vendors, library automation has come a long way. For some, however, it has not come nearly far enough. If one were to stop the history of library automation in the mid-1990s and wish away the dominance of the Internet, libraries and patrons might have been quite content with the state-of–the-art as it existed 15 years ago. But wishing away the Internet is like envisioning a world without electricity and indoor plumbing; as such, that 1990s library automation summit is now a plateau from which many library technologists and futurists can see no launch pad to a next-generation of library software and services.     

RLG and OCLC: Combined for the Future

On July 1, 2006, The Research Libraries Group, Inc. (RLG) and the Online Computer Library System (OCLC) combined their organizations and resources. RLG's products and services were integrated with OCLC's, and RLG's program initiatives went forward within an expanded OCLC Research division. This was a historic moment for libraries and research institutions consonant with the incredible changes in the information environment that had been underway during the previous decade. The expansion of WorldCat that resulted and the renewed attention given to research libraries by OCLC in the merger has positively impacted libraries around the globe.     

Comparison of Summit Union Catalog Borrowing and Interlibrary Loan Returnables at Eastern Washington University

ABSTRACT

In 2000, Eastern Washington University became part of the Cascade Consortium and participated in consortial borrowing through the Cascade Union Catalog. In 2003, the Orbis and Cascade consortia merged into the Orbis Cascade Alliance, which manages the Summit Union Catalog. In fall 2004, the Pickup Anywhere option of Innovative Interfaces' INN-Reach module was implemented, allowing patrons to pick up consortial materials at many of the member libraries, not just their own institution's library. Since 2000, Cascade or Summit consortial borrowing has increased while other interlibrary loans of borrowed returnables has decreased. It is too early to tell if Pickup Anywhere will have an effect on Eastern Washington University's Interlibrary Loan department. The problems library staff reported regarding Pickup Anywhere are also examined.     

Use and Management of a Hard Disk in the Reference Department

The intention of this article is to provide a summary of practical tips and useful guidelines on how to proceed when first using a hard disk. The basic setup of a hard disk drive is reviewed and examples for use in a medical reference department are given. A discussion of IBM's Fixed Disk Organizer program serves as an example in organizing the hard disk into subdirectories and utilizing various application programs such as word processors, spread sheets, graphics packages, communications software, and tutorials. Options for hard disk backup are included as well as an appendix that summarizes a number of DOS commands which are useful for managing files on the hard disk.