An Analysis of Using Expert Systems and Intelligent Agents for the Virtual Library Project at the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Carderock Division

The Virtual Library Project1 at the Naval Surface Warfare Center/Carderock Division (NSWC/CD) is being developed to facilitate the incorporation and use of library documents via the Internet. These documents typically relate to the design and manufacture of ships for the U.S. Navy Fleet. As such, the libraries will store documents that contain not only text but also images, graphs and design configurations. Because of the dynamic nature of digital documents, particularly those related to design, rapid and effective cataloging of these documents becomes challenging. We conducted a research study to analyze the use of expert systems and intelligent agents to support the function of cataloging digital documents. This chapter provides an overview of past research in the use of expert systems and intelligent agents for cataloging digital documents and discusses our recommendations based on NSWC/CD’s requirements

The Evolving Cataloging Department

The shrinking of traditional cataloging departments is not news to library technical services staff. Nor is it news that digital projects that require standardized metadata are being created and supported by the same libraries that employ traditional catalogers. What may be less apparent is the ease with which a traditional cataloging unit can be transformed to incorporate metadata creation in the regular workflow of these units. IUPUI University Library’s Bibliographic and Metadata Services Team (BAMS) has made this transition and provides one example of how libraries can capitalize on the wealth of skilled employees already in place. This article discusses the full range of ideologies already in place and tactics used, including hiring a metadata cataloger, collaborating with digital initiatives groups in and outside the library, outsourcing some of the traditional cataloging, and training copy catalogers to create metadata to increase the viability and currency of the skills of a traditional cataloging unit

Special Collections Cataloging at a Crossroads: A Survey of ARL Libraries

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2004.04.001Facing 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

If You Build It, Will They Come? Access to ARL Members\u27 Digital Libraries

Illinois State University\u27s Milner Library began discussion on managing digital resources in September 2023 in an effort to take the lead in coordinating storage, cataloging and retrieval of digital projects across campus, while also encouraging the development of new digitization projects. At the start of the process, before full implementing a digitization program, the Library wanted to ensure efficient access to and integrated searching capabilities for new digital projects. We surveyed Association of Research Libraries\u27 (ARL) academic libraries to gather data on the accessibility of their digital projects. We chose to examine ARL libraries because larger university libraries have taken the lead in creating digital libraries. Surprisingly, given the level of funding and effort, digital library projects and content were not easily accessible

Guide to Cataloging DVD and Blu-ray Discs Using AACR2r and MARC 21 2008 Update

This guide is intended as an update to the 2002 Guide to Cataloging DVDs UsingAACR2r Chapters 7 and 9 created by the DVD Cataloging Task Force of OLAC. The update incorporates rule changes and interpretations that resulted from the 2004 Amendments for Chapters 7 and 9 of Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2) and expands the discussion of formats to include Blu-ray Discs, DualDiscs, and DVD-Audio Discs. The information and cataloging examples presented should help clarify principles and rules used in cataloging DVD formats and digital video disc formats. There is also information to help the cataloging process for the Blu-ray Discs and DVD-Audio, newer formats that libraries will begin and continue to purchase as producers market and develop them for consumer use

Clearing Out Backlogs from Home: Remote Cataloging of Posters

In 2019, the Libraries purchased a collection of about 500 leftist political posters. These posters mostly originated from Europe, but the collection has an international scope. We set up a workflow that started with the Conservation department unrolling and flattening the posters, me cataloging them, and lastly, the digitization team creating images for our digital repository. As the only graphics cataloger, the original plan was for me to catalog these by myself and have batches of posters scanned by our digital imaging team as I completed cataloging. However, COVID-related work-from-home orders changed how this could be done

Cataloging Electronic Theses and Dissertations: Updates and Perspectives from the Mississippi State University Libraries

Over the last two decades, electronic submission of theses and dissertations has become more common, and cataloging processes have evolved as well. At the same time, the Resource Description and Access (RDA) cataloging guidelines, which are better designed to describe digital resources, was widely implemented in 2013 in order to replace the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR2), which emphasize the description of a physical item. These changes have brought unceasing challenges into cataloging workflows. Especially with the development of linked data and the semantic web, catalogers consistently need to adapt measures to local conditions. This paper describes the recent issues that have occurred at the Mississippi State University Libraries and how local practices addressed these concerns to enhance bibliographic data and authority data for better discovery of Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

In Search of a New Model: Library Resource Sharing in China - A Comparative Study

This paper reviews the framework of library resource sharing (LRS) in China and examines, from a comparative perspective, cases of recent development, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s. Highlights include: (1) historical review of LRS in the U.S. and China, particularly in the areas of print union catalogs and union lists, online bibliographic utilities, and interlibrary loan; (2) literature review of Chinese publications, and LRS issues and challenges in China; (3) Analysis of three LRS models to provide a contextual grasp of a paradigm shift taking place in China; and (4) comparative analysis of LRS objectives, structure, and governance, etc., in the U.S. and China. The study also underscores the imperative for building a national digital library system in China to gain a competitive edge in resource sharing and to support the country’s rapid social and economic growth. At this stage of development, the success of China Academic Library & Information System provides a convincing argument for a national digital library system with its methods of governing, financing, and development

Transforming Technical Services: Evolving Functions in Large Research University Libraries

Technical services functions in academic libraries have evolved in response to fiscal pressures and advances in technology. In this study the author investigates how technical services in large research university libraries are adapting to support the changing roles of academic libraries. The author conducted hour-long phone interviews in early 2014 with the representatives from nineteen out of the twenty-five university libraries in the Technical Services Directors Large Research Libraries Interest Group. This paper presents the results and discussion based on the interview data: use of the name, Technical Services; new and emerging functions of technical services; organizational structure of technical services units; change drivers that are affecting technical services now, and those that will soon; and challenges in managing technical services. Five models of a technical services organizational structure were developed from participants’ organizational charts and interview data. This research also highlights the skills needed among technical services personnel.UT Librarie