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

Survey: Serial Holdings Statements

Jean Sibley of Mississippi State University is conducting a brief survey on the use of serials holdings statements.

I am doing a study on holdings statements for
serials - the way they display in the OPAC and
their usefulness to patrons considering the time
and effort expended by Serials staff to update
them. If you would, please take a few moments to
answer a short survey (10 questions)  about how
your library creates and maintains holdings
statements.  Here is the link.

Your participation is completely voluntary and
the survey responses will be anonymous. Results
of this survey will be used in a research
article on current trends in holdings statements.

I would greatly appreciate your response. Feel
free to contact me with any questions you may
have.

Thanks, Jean

B. Jean Sibley
Assistant Professor/Serials Librarian
Mitchell Memorial Library
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762
662-325-7666

via SERIALST

MARC Record Services Survey

Rebecca Kemp, Serials Coordinator at University of North Carolina Wilmington, is conducting a survey on MARC Record Services.

You are invited to participate in a study that is designed to gather information about MARC record services from library personnel who use these services to increase coverage of electronic serials in their online catalog.

The results will provide information about how libraries are using different MARC record services, the benefits of using the services, and areas in which the services could be improved. Your participation in the study will provide valuable information about a major aspect of serials cataloging- outsourcing MARC records to vendors. The study will allow you to express your ideas about MARC record services in a formally published article.

It is unclear how long the survey will be available.

Via Catalogablog