LCSH Isn't the Only Option: Controlled Vocabularies for Catalogers to Consider

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is a widely used controlled vocabulary by libraries around the world, but like any controlled vocabulary, it comes with limitations. Catalogers need to be familiar with all sorts of controlled vocabularies beyond LCSH in order to provide adequate access to library resources. This poster will address controlled vocabularies, such as AAT (Art and Architecture Thesaurus), FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology), Homosaurus (an international LGBTQ linked data vocabulary) and LCTGM (Library of Congress Thesaurus for Graphic Materials).NoMax Chambers Librar

Controlled Vocabularies beyond LCSH: Customizing Your Catalog to Meet Your Patrons' Needs

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is a widely used controlled vocabulary by libraries around the world, but like any controlled vocabulary, it comes with limitations. Come learn about other controlled vocabularies to consider using in your library catalog to help your patrons find the resources they're looking for. Controlled vocabularies to be covered include FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology), AAT (Art and Architecture Thesaurus), and LCTGM (Library of Congress Thesaurus for Graphic Materials).NoMax Chambers Librar

How do you solve a cataloging problem like The Vista?

This presentation introduces complex serials cataloging through the experience of re-cataloging The Vista, the school newspaper of the University of Central Oklahoma. Since its inception in 1903, The Vista experienced a couple dozen frequency changes, suffered six university name changes, was christened with different aliases for some summer issues, all of which that not only make serials cataloging rightfully earn its difficult reputation but also were left for the present catalogers to handle by our predecessors from decades before. Accurately capturing a serial's bibliographic eccentricities is essential for making the information within discoverable, whether directly by a patron or by colleagues in ILL and Public Services. This session will cover creating new bibliographic records for serials, connecting related records, sub-series, frequency changes, publisher name changes, and resources for standardized holdings description.N

On Cataloging Ethics

Catalogers bear a special responsibility when developing resource description. Information included or excluded affects access. Chosen subject headings can make or break a patron's ability to find a resource. Additionally, it is well-known in library circles that our classification schemes and controlled vocabularies are flawed in outdated language and biases. This session will be an overview on the importance of ethics in cataloging, the current state of ethical cataloging and the work being done by the Cataloging Ethics Steering Committee, and ideas for potential solutions to implement in our bibliographic data both globally and locally.NoMax Chambers Librar

Spring Cleaning the Catalog and Other Tasks: WFH Projects for Catalogers

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several institutions rapidly transitioned their employees to working from home. The University of Central Oklahoma was one of these institutions, and among those working from home were the library's copy catalogers. These staff members' every day work does not lend well to working from home, so this presentation covers the types of work and their benefits to patrons that copy catalogers can perform off-site. Projects discussed include fixing bad diacritics, foreign language records, and batch cataloging in Microsoft Excel.NoMax Chambers Librar

Finding the Right Words

In Summer 2021, UCO Chambers Library's catalogers crafted an inclusive metadata statement. Our presentation will provide an overview of the process, recommendations for creating your own statement, and the challenges of important terminology being misappropriated as buzzwords (e.g. "decolonizing" the catalog)N

Drafting the inclusive metadata statement

Offensive/outdated terminology in library cataloging standards has been discussed for some years now, particularly around the subject heading “illegal aliens.” A recent trend in library cataloging and technical services departments has been to create public statements that acknowledging these problems to their communities and actions that have been or will be taken to address offensive/outdated terminology found in our standards. The professional catalogers at the University of Central Oklahoma teamed up in summer 2021 to create such a statement, and this lightning talk will address why we created this statement, how we structured this statement, and our own steps for transforming words into actions.Max Chambers Librar

Dare to be "Deweyless": An Evaluation of BISAC-based Headings in Public Libraries

Since 2007, a handful of public libraries across the United States have replaced Dewey Decimal Classification with a "bookstore arrangement" in order to meet the needs of users who have demonstrated browsing preferences. This paper looks at the implementation of BISAC-based headings used to arrange the collections at the Maricopa Library District in Arizona, the Rangeview Library District in Colorado, and the Frankfort Public Library District in Illinois. A multi-methods approach was employed: 1.) a content analysis was conducted to analyze the availability and characteristics of BISAC headings and to provide a sample of headings taken from the online catalogs of the three aforementioned library districts, and 2.) an evaluative survey was distributed for participants to evaluate the BISAC-based headings. The fifteen participants, a mix of both users and librarians, indicated that they favored headings that were more specific, however, there is a need for continued research on the use of BISAC headings to arrange the collections of public libraries

Forming the Oklahoma "Tornado" NACO Funnel

How do you know if the books by Robert Smith, Bob Smith, or Bobby Smith are the same author or not? Are you stuck in helping your patrons find a resource by the same John Doe? Catalogers are here to help you through the international Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) steered by the Library of Congress by establishing authorized names to be used in library catalogs far and wide. In 2017, a small group of Oklahoma academic and public librarians came together to form the Oklahoma "Tornado" Funnel where catalogers trained with Jay Shorten of the University of Oklahoma Libraries to learn how to establish and disambiguate names, including names for people and entities in Oklahoma. Our poster will de-mystify the process of starting and joining a NACO funnel as well as showing how catalogers at the University of Central Oklahoma incorporated this new skill into their workflow to improve the quality of catalogs everywhere.NoMax Chambers Librar

Digital Initiatives Working Group Progress Report : March 23, 2021.

Progress report of UCO Chambers Library's Digital Initiatives Working Group from 2016-2020 with a focus on work done during 2020.NoMax Chambers Librar