To Discovery and Beyond: Using Workflow Automation as an Opportunity for Collaboration and Education

This poster describes a project to automate portions of JMU Libraries\u27 workflow for distributing Special Collections finding aids to various discovery platforms. Through the development of a custom Python app called Spaceport, we were able to greatly improve the efficiency and sustainability of this process while also providing a more consistent discovery experience for our patrons. The project also had broad impacts in other areas. Our incremental and collaborative approach provided space for professional development related to the project, supported evolving project goals and the process of adapting to the new workflow, and strengthened relationships between departments. In addition to describing these and other benefits, this poster includes an overview of the Spaceport app\u27s functionality along with recommended learning resources for technologies used in the project, including XSLTs, Python scripting, and APIs

Metadata Analysis for Pre-Migration Cleanup

When faced with a library system migration, it can be daunting to know where to begin with data cleanup. In many cases, there is a long list of tasks to tackle before switching to a new system and not enough time to perform them all. Therefore, it is important to target your efforts to the most impactful areas. In this presentation, I will provide guidance on deciding where to focus your available time for metadata cleanup. I will present metadata assessment criteria that will help you know what to be looking for in your data that could potentially cause issues during a migration. Finally, I will share analysis techniques and examples to show how to look for those issues in your metadata, drawing on my experience performing this work for our library\u27s recent migration

Creating DOIs with DataCite for Ingestion into Bepress Digital Commons

This presentation provides a brief overview of a project to develop a workflow and tools for batch creation of DOIs for JMU Libraries\u27 Digital Collections materials using the DataCite API and Python and XSLT scripts

Planning Batch Cataloging Projects

Many libraries have uncataloged collections or backlogs which could benefit from batch processing, and much professional development for metadata specialists focuses on software tools that can facilitate this work, but it is not always clear how to get started putting those new skills into action. This webinar will introduce the basics of planning a batch cataloging project. Attendees will be led through a series of questions to help them identify appropriate projects for a batch cataloging approach, evaluate available technological and personnel resources, and assess their starting point based on a batch cataloging framework. The webinar will cover designing a workflow by mapping potential metadata pathways, as well as how to select the appropriate tools and technologies for an efficient workflow

Secrets of the Save File: Using Connexion and Microsoft Access for Efficient Batch Cataloging Projects

Have you ever wished you could limit your Connexion batch search results to the one OCLC record with the most holdings? Or hoped for a way to confidently match those search results to existing metadata from your ILS without handling each record one by one? These tasks and more are all possible by working directly with the Microsoft Access database underlying Connexion\u27s local save file. In this presentation, I will share how our library used this functionality in a workflow for efficiently cataloging a gift collection of jazz LPs. I will describe features of the local save file database, highlighting the additional metadata fields it makes available beyond those found through the regular Connexion client interface. I will also explore ways to work with the data in Access and demonstrate how to match save file records to metadata from external systems. The benefits of this approach will be of interest to Connexion users seeking a low-barrier method of scaling up their batch processing in a way that fits into existing workflows and those interested in facilitating large cataloging projects using only commonly available software tools

Batch Cataloging at JMU: A Framework and Four Projects

Many libraries have uncataloged collections or backlogs which could benefit from batch processing, but little guidance exists on how to conceptualize and plan such a project. I will share a framework I developed which categorizes types of batch cataloging projects and outlines the steps involved. I will also describe four projects we\u27ve done at JMU to illustrate how the framework can be applied to design a variety of metadata workflows

Spaceport: A Finding Aid Launchpad

JMU Libraries distributes its Special Collections finding aids to a number of discovery platforms, a process which historically has involved a significant amount of hand-encoding and manual data entry. We recently developed and implemented Spaceport, a Python app that has revolutionized this workflow. This presentation provides an overview of the app\u27s functionality, which includes generating EADs for Virginia Heritage, HTML files for upload to the Libraries website, and MARCXML records for our catalog and OCLC. It also describes the efficiencies and other benefits we have observed from Spaceport\u27s use

Small Steps Make Giant Leaps: An Incremental Approach to Technical Services Workflow Automation

James Madison University Libraries\u27 workflow for distributing its Special Collections finding aids to various discovery platforms historically involved a significant amount of manual data entry and hand-encoding. Through a series of small steps, we have been gradually improving this process by automating select tasks. I will share different iterations of our workflow, the automated solutions we\u27ve put into place, and the tools and technologies used, including XSLTs, APIs, and Spaceport, a custom Python app. As evidenced through the efficiencies, staff excitement, and other benefits we\u27ve observed, automation has transformed a previously tedious process while also facilitating the completion of other related projects. Our experience suggests a number of advantages to taking an incremental approach to technical services workflow automation projects

Taking Control of Archdesc: Implementing Spaceport for Special Collections Finding Aids

This poster describes a project to develop Spaceport, a Python app that transforms EAD finding aids from ArchivesSpace into EADs for Virginia Heritage, HTML files for the JMU Libraries website, and MARCXML records for the catalog. It outlines the challenges and needs that led to Spaceport\u27s development and describes benefits experienced from its implementation

Empowering Your Staff to Solve Problems: Evidence-Based Training for Strategic Thinking

Are you teaching procedures or are you teaching problem solving? Discover an approach to help develop your staff’s strategic thinking skills to meet the needs of the 21st-century library workplace. Explore how to apply learning theory and walk away with actionable steps for training independent problem solving