Use and Perception of the DCRB Core Standard

Lundy, M. Winslow

doi:10.5860/lrts.47n1.16

“…In order to determine if size of collection, existence of backlogs, number of rare book catalogers, and reporting structure correlated to adoption of the Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Books core standard for bibliographic records, M. Winslow Lundy surveyed a group of heads of cataloging, heads of special collections, and special collections catalogers at ARL libraries, along with other targeted groups. 12 In thirty-seven responses, she found a range of staffing for catalogers between 0.25 FTE to 9 FTE, although only a small number of institutions have more than one FTE rare book cataloger. Regarding administrative structure, she found that a slightly higher number of institutions have rare book catalogers report to cataloging or technical services units (n = 19) than to special collections departments (n = 12), while six institutions reported catalogers with split reporting lines.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Special collections cataloging at a crossroads: a survey of ARL libraries

RUSSELL

¹

2004

The Journal of Academic Librarianship

0

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Facing shifting organizational cultures, technological innovations, and the growth of digital information, administrators must consider how best to utilize the resources and staff devoted to cataloging special collections. A survey of special collections cataloging among Association of Research Libraries member institutions showed variation in organization, staffing, and workflow. Cooperation and flexibility are necessary for success.The process of cataloging special collections material in research libraries is at a crossroads, facing changes caused by technology and organizational culture. Long considered somewhat peripheral, special collections have moved into the mainstream, gaining recognition as integral parts of research library collections. At the same time, cataloging has changed in response to restructuring and technological advances. Although for many years select rare books were acquired, processed, stored, and serviced in entirely different ways than the rest of a research library's collection, more libraries now view their increasingly comprehensive special collections as an essential part of their mission, considering how best to utilize the resources and staff devoted to them within the larger institutional context. The growth of digital information in collections has also created common ground among catalogers working on all types of materials, regardless of departmental boundaries.If managers and administrators of college and university libraries were ever content with large backlogs of unprocessed special collections, that time is past. Among Association of Research Libraries members in particular, interest in eliminating backlogs and providing intellectual access to digital and other nontraditional formats within special collections is high. Five areas of concern in a recent survey of ARL libraries include the following: whether -adequate intellectual access [is] being provided for special collections materials‖ and whether -staff levels and available skills [are] appropriate to support the growing size and scope of special collections.‖ 1 These concerns were echoed in the ARL Board of Directors' document -Research Libraries and the Commitment to Special Collections,‖ which urges, among other action items, adequate staffing and -following established guidelines for what constitutes adequate access.‖ 2 Frequent discussions in informal settings among colleagues and on the electronic discussion list Exlibris suggest that this is a timely topic as libraries examine their organizational structure for efficiencies and improvements. The challenges for those engaged in providing access to special collections are many, highlighting the importance of special collections cataloging in the current library environment.

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“…12 In thirty-seven responses, she found a range of staffing for catalogers between 0.25 FTE to 9 FTE, although only a small number of institutions have more than one FTE rare book cataloger. Regarding administrative structure, she found that a slightly higher number of institutions have rare book catalogers report to cataloging or technical services units (n = 19) than to special collections departments (n = 12), while six institutions reported catalogers with split reporting lines.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Special collections cataloging at a crossroads: a survey of ARL libraries

Russell¹

2004

The Journal of Academic Librarianship

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Facing shifting organizational cultures, technological innovations, and the growth of digital information, administrators must consider how best to utilize the resources and staff devoted to cataloging special collections. A survey of special collections cataloging among Association of Research Libraries member institutions showed variation in organization, staffing, and workflow. Cooperation and flexibility are necessary for success.The process of cataloging special collections material in research libraries is at a crossroads, facing changes caused by technology and organizational culture. Long considered somewhat peripheral, special collections have moved into the mainstream, gaining recognition as integral parts of research library collections. At the same time, cataloging has changed in response to restructuring and technological advances. Although for many years select rare books were acquired, processed, stored, and serviced in entirely different ways than the rest of a research library's collection, more libraries now view their increasingly comprehensive special collections as an essential part of their mission, considering how best to utilize the resources and staff devoted to them within the larger institutional context. The growth of digital information in collections has also created common ground among catalogers working on all types of materials, regardless of departmental boundaries.If managers and administrators of college and university libraries were ever content with large backlogs of unprocessed special collections, that time is past. Among Association of Research Libraries members in particular, interest in eliminating backlogs and providing intellectual access to digital and other nontraditional formats within special collections is high. Five areas of concern in a recent survey of ARL libraries include the following: whether -adequate intellectual access [is] being provided for special collections materials‖ and whether -staff levels and available skills [are] appropriate to support the growing size and scope of special collections.‖ 1 These concerns were echoed in the ARL Board of Directors' document -Research Libraries and the Commitment to Special Collections,‖ which urges, among other action items, adequate staffing and -following established guidelines for what constitutes adequate access.‖ 2 Frequent discussions in informal settings among colleagues and on the electronic discussion list Exlibris suggest that this is a timely topic as libraries examine their organizational structure for efficiencies and improvements. The challenges for those engaged in providing access to special collections are many, highlighting the importance of special collections cataloging in the current library environment.

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“…An investigation of this response was researched and analyzed in "Evidence of Application of the DCRB Core Standard in WorldCat and RLIN." 12 Schuitema provided a lengthy introduction of the core bibliographic record and what it is, where the standard originates, and how the core level is different from the full level. 13 She also addressed the issues that are associated with the implementation of the core record and examined some of the reasons libraries are implementing the core standards.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%