ALCTS Network News v14n13 (October 17, 1997) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/ann/ann-v14n13 ISSN: 1056-6694 ALCTS NETWORK NEWS An electronic publication of the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services Volume 14, Number 13 October 17, 1997 In this issue ALA TO HOST FIRST VOLUNTEER DAY LC TO CONVERT TO PINYIN FOR ROMANIZATION OF CHINESE CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DIVERSITY FAIR AT 1998 ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEW PUBLICATIONS OF INTEREST ************ ALA TO HOST FIRST VOLUNTEER DAY ALA will host its first Volunteer Day during the Midwinter Meeting in New Orleans, January 9-10. The event is cosponsored by the Louisiana Library Association and is a presidential initiative of ALA President Barbara Ford. The goals are to promote library services, to give members an opportunity to make a personal contribution to the local community, and to create a model for members to replicate in their local communities. Participating libraries include: New Orleans Public Library System, Jefferson Parish Public Library System, Orleans Parish Schools/Community Centers, Dillard University, and Southern University. Registrants may select from activities such as read-alouds, Internet training sessions, and shelf-reading projects. To participate, check the box located on the Midwinter Meeting Registration form on page 93 of the September 1997 issue of _American Libraries_. The $5 fee will be used for t-shirts. New Orleans Volunteer Day committee members will contact you to make a "match" with one of the local libraries and provide further details for the event. For more information, visit the website at http://info.jefferson.lib.co.us/alavol.htm or contact Barbara Wittkopf, chair of the New Orleans Volunteer Day committee, at notbjw@lsuvm.sncc.lsu.edu. ************ LC TO CONVERT TO PINYIN FOR ROMANIZATION OF CHINESE The Library of Congress is preparing to adopt the pinyin system for the romanization of Chinese. Draft guidelines for pinyin romanization are being prepared for comment by the library community. The Library is now planning the scope, procedures and timetable for implementation of the new standard and the conversion of its existing files to pinyin. The new romanization standard will be announced in the near future, but well in advance of its implementation date. (Although a firm date has not been set, it is not anticipated that conversion will occur before the year 2000.) Early announcement of the new standard is intended to provide the library community with sufficient time to plan for adoption of the new standard. The pinyin system of romanization of Chinese is now generally recognized as the standard throughout the world. The United States government, international agencies, the news media, and many foreign libraries have used pinyin to romanize Chinese for many years. Because most users of American libraries today are familiar with the pinyin romanization of Chinese names and places, providing access to the Chinese language with that system will make it easier for them to locate material. The use of pinyin romanization by libraries should also facilitate the exchange of data with foreign libraries. With adoption of the new romanization scheme, the Library would also wish to convert a substantial portion of its files to reflect the new standard. Use of the collections will be facilitated because users will need to use only one romanization scheme to find material in Chinese. Also, the name authority file would then correspond with access points on bibliographic records. The Library of Congress first proposed conversion from the Wade-Giles system to pinyin in 1980 to coincide with its introduction of computerized cataloging of Chinese material. The East Asian library community did not support the change at that time. Since then, however, most librarians have come to realize that conversion to pinyin will be necessary if American libraries are to provide adequate service to their users. This year, in a survey conducted by the Council on East Asian Libraries, East Asian librarians indicated strong support for conversion to pinyin. Changing the romanization practice to pinyin would necessitate a conversion of files so that the Library's database will, to the extent.possible, reflect the new standard. Until recently, conversion has not been economically feasible. The Library believes, however, that recent technological improvements and capabilities should make it possible to change the romanization standard and carry out a corresponding conversion project. Significantly, the National Library of Australia (NLA) has recently converted more than 500,000 Chinese records to pinyin, using an independent conversion software program that identified and converted Wade-Giles data in MARC records, and then reassembled the records. The Library is considering using such an approach in order to convert its files to pinyin. It is also expected that improved software features in the Library's anticipated integrated library system (ILS) will facilitate the conversion process. The Library has already discussed its plans to convert to pinyin romanization widely -- with the American Library Association, OCLC, RLG, and the Council on East Asian Libraries (CEAL), as well as with the NLA. A Pinyin Task Group has been formed, and planning for conversion of files and implementation of the new standard has begun. The Library will continue to consult with the library community and bibliographic utilities throughout the process in order to most effectively coordinate and harmonize conversion procedures and activities. ************ CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DIVERSITY FAIR AT 1998 ANNUAL CONFERENCE ALA President Barbara J. Ford's Presidential Advisory Committee on Diversity invites ALA members from all types of libraries to participate in a Diversity Fair at the 1998 ALA Annual Conference to celebrate the extraordinary examples of diversity in America's libraries, and to demonstrate possibilities for other libraries in search of *diversity in action* ideas. Selected exhibitors will share their diversity initiatives in face-to-face presentations with conferees, utilizing a poster session/table talk format. The fair will be held on Saturday, June 27, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Library diversity expresses a climate where all library personnel and library users feel welcomed, valued, and respected, and where their information concerns are considered in library operations. CATEGORIES (one entry, one category per library) facilities - building access, signage personnel - staffing, trustees/friends, staff development administration - policies and procedures, budgeting public relations - publicity, advertising resources - access and information, collections programs and services for children and youth programs and services for families programs and services for differently-abled people programs and services for adults - all ages, levels, interests community partnerships ABSTRACT (in 150 words or fewer): description of the library's *literacy in action* initiative details of its implementation degree to which it has succeeded possible uses by other libraries FORMS AVAILABLE: ALA website: http://www.ala.org/news (after October 17th) Fax-On-Demand: 800-545-2433 #8 DEADLINE for receipt of entry forms is December 5, 1997. Selected exhibitors for the 1998 Diversity Fair will be notified by February 1, 1998. The Diversity Fair is coordinated by Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin, Deputy Director, Forsyth County Public Library, Winston-Salem, NC, and Jeffrey Coghill, Reference Librarian, Neese State University, Lake Charles, LA. The Diversity Fair entry form may be found on the ALA Internet website at: http://www.ala.org/news or by Fax-on-Demand at 800-545-2433, ext. 8. Questions may be e-mailed to divfair@ala.org. All entries must be received at ALA by December 5, 1997. Mail to ALA Diversity Fair - 1998 Annual Conference OLOS/American Library Association 50 East Huron Street Chicago, IL 60611 ************ NEW ALA PUBLICATIONS OF INTEREST Order these titles by calling 800-545-2433, then press 7 for books. Cataloging with AACR2 and MARC Debra A. Fritz Because Machine Readable Cataloging, or MARC, is the dominant format for the bibliographic cataloging of all types of library materials, Cataloging with AACR2 and MARC is an essential resource for catalogers in libraries of all types and sizes, as well as students and instructors of library science. MARC is essentially a computerized "language" for coding catalog records. The 1988 revision of AACR2 is the current descriptive cataloging code of rules. Until now, linking the cataloging rules with the MARC tag/subfield codes has been the primary challenge of catalogers who frequently work online. Cataloging with AACR2 and MARC is the fastest and easiest guide to cross referencing the AACR2R rules, MARC tags/subfields, and interpretations for LC rules for each of the major media categories. Those major media formats include books, serials, videos, sound recordings and computer files. Organized in a similar format to AACR2R - according to the various media types - the book also examines reference sheets with searching hints and match criteria, the relationships between fields in the cataloging record, ISBD punctuation, and much more. An experienced cataloger, trainer, and consultant, author Debra A. Fritz has produced a complete and comprehensive reference that's sure to help streamline the intricate process of cataloging. $60pbk; ALA Members $54. ISBN 0-8389-0728-8. Approx. 608p. 1997. Disaster Response and Planning for Libraries Miriam B. Kahn With their large holdings of books and journals, audio and video tapes, CDs and computers, libraries are particularly vulnerable to disasters of all types. Whether fire, flood, tornado or earthquake, disasters can not only damage equipment and bring services to a grinding halt, but they can destroy collections built over a number of years. Libraries must be prepared. Disaster Planning and Response for Libraries helps libraries survive, revive and thrive following a disaster. Providing a customized disaster response plan that assists in quick recovery, this practical resource also outlines effective steps to minimize damage and protect resources before trouble strikes. This easy-to-use book clearly describes the four key phases in disaster preparedness; planning and training, prevention, response, and recovery. It also details case studies demonstrating how different libraries have recovered from a variety of disasters, and includes expert resources in disaster planning. The author also provides a glossary of terms used in disaster planning and recovery. Miriam B. Kahn is a consultant in preservation and disaster planning for libraries and other public buildings. With Disaster Planning and Response for Libraries, she offers administrators the invaluable lessons of being prepared for the worst. $38 pbk; ALA Members $34.20. ISBN 0-8389-0716-4. Approx 184p. 1997. ************ ALCTS NETWORK NEWS (ISSN 1056-6694) is published irregularly by the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services, a division of the American Library Association. Editorial offices: ALCTS, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; Janet Swan Hill, President; Karen Muller, Executive Director. Editor: Karen Whittlesey (kwhittlesey@ala.org); Editorial Assistance: Karen Muller, Shonda Russell. ALCTS NETWORK NEWS is available free of charge and is available only in electronic form. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the division. News items should be sent to the editor at the e-mail address above. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to listproc@ala.org with the only line of text being "subscribe an2 [your name]" (without quotation marks). Back issues of AN2 are available through the listserver. To find out what's available, send the following command to listproc@ala.org: "index an2" (without quotation marks). Send questions about membership in ALCTS to the ALCTS Office, alcts@ala.org. All materials in the newsletter subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or education advancement. For other reprinting or redistribution or translations, address requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. ************ an2 v14_no13