CONSER Updates

"CONSER Updates: The Serials Cataloging Cooperative Training Program at Ten Years and Revision of Integrating Resources: A Cataloging Manual" is now available as an article in press for the Serials Review. In this article, Hien Nguyen provides a history of the SCCTP and Lew Hawkins discusses the revision process for Integrating Resources: A Cataloging Manual.

"A Ghost in the Catalog: The Gradual Obsolescence of the Main Entry" by David Conners

Conners asks if the main entry concept is still relevant for online library catalogs in this article. After supplying some historical background, he considers the arguments for retaining the main entry and for abandoning it. Conners sees RDA's terminology change to primary and secondary access points (rather than main and added entries) to be strictly cosmetic. He argues that in the age of online catalogs, the main entry is no longer needed to collocate works by a particular author and requires an unnecessary decision point for catalogers at a time when there is a push to make cataloging more cost-effective. The article is accompanied by an annotated bibliography. Even though is it published in the Serials Librarian, this article may be of interest to all catalogers, not just those focused on serials.

Published in the Serials Librarian, vol. 55, no. 1/2 (2008), pages 85-97.

"From the Majors to the Minors: Playing the Game as the Rules are Changed" by Jim Cole

In this article, Cole gives an overview of the evolution of Anglo-American cataloging rules and how the rule changes would affect publishers and aggregators if they were to use them to organize electronic journals. He concludes that since cataloging code is continually changing regarding title changes, it does not make the best model for publishers and aggregators to follow. He suggests instead, "when a serial changes its title, if the change involves an important word in the title or if the new title could potentially be separated from the old title in a comprehensive A-Z listing of serials from multiple publishers and aggregators, the new and old titles should each be listed separately. References would be needed between the two titles, and these could be given on each title's own Web page. He then asserts that full cataloging of online journals should not be needed--brief records with a title and url should be sufficient. However he does not discuss the ramifications of the loss of several access points by doing so.

Published in: the Serials Librarian, vol. 55, no. 1/2 (2008), pages 45-58.

Successive Entry, Latest Entry, or None of the Above?

"Successive Entry, Latest Entry, or None of the Above? How the MARC21 Format, FRBR and the Concept of a Work Could Revitalize Serials Management" was presented by Katherine Adams and Britta Santamauro at the 2007 NASIG Annual Conference. Their session was recorded by Kurt Blythe for publication in the Serials Librarian.

In their NASIG presentation, Katherine Adams and Britta Santamauro introduced their ideas for applying FRBR concepts to both bibliographic records and online catalog functionality. Their ideas are built on the concept of a “superworkspression." They propose an umbrella record that would describe the work and expression levels of a publication. This umbrella record would not undergo title changes unless there is a change in content. The hierarchical structure they present would also have records for each manifestation where only the unique data for each manifestation would be recorded—there would be no duplication of data from the superworkspression record. Finally an item record would contain local holdings information. Their attempt to apply FRBR concepts to real world applications is described as a work in progress and it would be interesting to see their ideas fleshed out more fully in future presentations or publications.

Published in: Serials Librarian, vol. 54, no. 3/4 (2008), pages 193-197.

Risky Business: Outsourcing Serials Cataloging

"Risky Business: Outsourcing Serials Cataloging" was presented by Faye R. Leibowitz at the 2007 NASIG Annual Conference. Her session was recorded by Michael A. Arthur for publication in the Serials Librarian.

Leibowitz’s presentation discussed the University of Pittsburgh’s experience with outsourcing serials cataloging for a special collection. The collection contained approximately 1, 200 serial volumes, mainly focused on international studies. She outlined the workflow for sending volumes to TechPro for cataloging, including searching for already held titles prior to shipment. The process taught them several things. First, recording holdings in the local catalog requires substantial in-house work after titles are cataloged. Having a stable team to handle this part of the project is desirable and should be planned for. Second, monograph versus serial decisions made by TechPro were not always consistent with how the library had treated the same titles in their other collections. Finally, student workers were not always reliable. In summary, the presentation stressed that outsourcing serials cataloging is a risk. Their project began in 1999 and as of 2007 they were still working on clean-up from the project.

Published in: Serials Librarian, vol. 54, no. 3/4 (2008), pages 253-260.

NASIG 2007 Conference Proceedings Available

Co-editors Carol Ann Borchert and Buddy Pennington have announced the availability of the conference proceedings for the 2007 NASIG Annual Conference on the NASIG Web site. In order to view the proceedings, you must log in as a NASIG member.

Not a NASIG member? The proceedings will also be published as vol. 54, no. 1-4 of the Serials Librarian.