IFLA Call for Papers

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Serials and Other Continuing Resources Section, Division of Collections and Services 75th World Library and Information Congress, Milan, Italy, 23-27 August 2009

Session theme: Serials in the 21st century: new concepts, new challenges

The IFLA Serials and Other Continuing Resources Section (SOCRS) invites librarians and other interested parties to submit proposals for papers for the 2-hour open session in Milan.

Electronic formats have altered traditional ways of acquiring, cataloging and managing library materials. The lines are blurring between e-books, e-journals, and article databases. The division of functions in Acquisitions, Cataloging and Collection Development, as well as Public Services, which have until now been based on the types of material (continuing resources vs. monographs), are becoming less clear. Almost all e-resources have a seriality aspect. Are e-books the new continuing resource? If the work of managing and servicing e-resources is being done in serials units (whether Acquisitions or Cataloging), then who handles “new” serials such as e-books and where do they fit in? Should they be included in ERMs? What kind of training and communication is needed for efficient work with e-resources? How do libraries adapt to this paradigm shift?

We especially invite papers that address the following topics:

• Organizational models for work with e-resources. What works and what doesn’t?
• E-books from selection to access: some new approaches
• New challenges as new opportunities

Please send a detailed abstract in English (1 page or at least 300 words) of the proposed paper (which must not have been published elsewhere) and relevant biographical information of author(s)/presenter(s) by February 15th, 2009, via e-mail to: Eva-Lisa Holm Granath, Secretary of SOCRS (e-mail:evaho@bibl.liu.se).

The abstracts will be reviewed by members of the Serials and Other Continuing Resources Section´s Standing Committee. Successful proposals will be identified by March 8th, 2009. Full papers will be due by May 1st, 2009, to allow time for review of papers and preparation of translations.

Papers should be no longer than 10-20 pages. 10-15 minutes will be allowed for a summary delivery of the paper during the Section's open session in Milan. We aim for a broader range coverage with slightly shorter presentations.

Please note that the expenses of attending the Milan conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers, and at least one of the authors/presenters must be present for the program.

via SERIALST

MARC Field 588 Proposal

MARC Discussion Paper no. 2009-DP02, regarding the proposed definition of field 588 for a metadata control note, is now available. In serial records, the field would be used for source of title, description based on, and latest issue consulted notes, as well as other data useful for tracking changes. Since this information is primarily of interest to catalogers, having a separate MARC field for the data would allow it to be suppressed from OPAC displays.

via Catalogablog

Scholarship for NASIG Annual Conference

The North American Serials Interest Group (NASIG) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applicants for the first annual Rose Robischon Scholarship, underwritten by Swets Information Service. Through this scholarship, a serials professional lacking funds for professional travel will be able to afford attendance at the 2009 NASIG Annual Conference to be held in Asheville, North Carolina, June 4-7, 2009.

The scholarship is named in honor of Rose Robischon. During her two decades of active service in NASIG, Rose served as member and chair of several NASIG committees and held the elected position of treasurer from 2005 to 2007. NASIG is pleased to offer this scholarship in memory of Rose's many contributions to the library profession and to honor her energy, warmth, and humor.

The scholarship offers the recipient with funding to attend the NASIG conference for the year in which the scholarship is given. Expenses for travel within North America, registration, and three nights lodging will be paid for the recipient. Conference registration includes most meals, and a stipend of $75 is intended to offset the cost of meals not included and transportation between the airport and the conference hotel.

For details regarding eligibility and application requirements, please visit the award announcement at http://www.nasig.org/about_awards_robischon2.cfm

The application deadline for the Rose Robischon Scholarship and other NASIG awards is February 16, 2009. For details about the awards offered by NASIG, please visit http://www.nasig.org/about_awards.cfm

ALA Mid-Winter Programming

ALCTS Continuing Resources Section's Continuing Resources Cataloging Committee (CRCC) is pleased to announce the program for our semi-annual Monday Forum, scheduled 1:30-3:30 PM on Monday January 26, 2009, in the Colorado Conference Center Korbel Ballroom 3C (but do re-confirm location in the Conference Event Planner when available) at the ALA Midwinter Conference in Denver:

Updates on current news and events from:

• CONSER Coordinator Les Hawkins
• ISSN Coordinator Regina Romano Reynolds
• The Continuing Resources Section's Liaison to CC:DA, Jenniifer Lang

and then a special program: "Working with Vendor-Supplied Records," a joint presentation by:

• Peter McCracken, Co-Founder and Director of Research at Serials Solutions
• Steven Shadle, Serials Access Librarian at the University of Washington

The topic promises to engage wide interest even beyond the serials cataloging community, so plan now to put this Forum on your Event Planner!

Christopher Walker, Chair, for the Committee: Anna Ashikhmina, Jennifer W. Lang, Beth Jedlicka Thornton, Bonnie S. Parks, Tina Shrader, Eva Sorrell, Jennifer B. Young, Kelley Leigh Lasher

via OCLC-CAT

Survey on Organization of Technical Services Units

Here's a recent survey invitation that's been posted to a number of discussion lists.

This request has been cross-posted to AUTOCAT, OCLC-CAT, OLAC, and SERIALST. Please excuse the duplication.

Dear Colleagues,

You are invited to participate in a research study related to how the evolving role of the professional cataloging librarian is reflected in the organizational structure of library technical services units. This survey is intended for librarians currently employed as professional catalogers. For this survey, a professional is defined as a position requiring an MLS or equivalent. A paraprofessional is defined as a position not requiring an MLS or equivalent even if held by an individual with the degree.

Recently, library literature has discussed the differences between professional and paraprofessional catalogers, primarily in terms of which type of staff perform traditional cataloging tasks such as original cataloging, classification, subject analysis, and authority control. We are interested in how the shifting/evolving roles of catalogers have been reflected in the organizational structure of technical services units. Technical services units may be organized in a traditional hierarchical model, in a self-directed team-based model, or in a hybrid model incorporating aspects of both traditional and team-based models.

Responding to this survey constitutes informed consent to participate in the research. The survey is voluntary, and you may withdraw from it at any time. All responses will be kept confidential. Demographic information is being collected for data management purposes.

The survey will remain open until December 31, 2008 at midnight. It should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Any questions may be directed to Greg Matthews, Cataloging Librarian, email: gmat@wsu.edu; Debra Spidal, Cataloging Librarian, email: dspidal@wsu.edu; or Lihong Zhu, Head of Technical Services, email: zhu2@wsu.edu. Please take a few moments to assist us in our research.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Hd89LP4U0okLM9ZsS_2bDAsg_3d_3d

Sincerely,
Greg Matthews, Cataloging Librarian
Debra Spidal, Cataloging Librarian,
Lihong Zhu, Head, Technical Services,
Washington State University Librarie
P.O. Box 645610,
Pullman, WA 99164-5610

via OCLC-CAT

CONSER Annual Report for 2008 Now Available

The 2008 CONSER Annual Report has been posted on the CONSER homepage. Topics covered include:

• Membership Updates
• CONSER Standard Record Update
  
• Serials Cooperative Cataloging Training Program (SCCTP) Update
  
• Links to Member Reports and Statistics