Please do not generalize for all catalogers based on your experiences. For many of us, cataloging is the ultimate public service -- we provide the metadata that enables resource discovery. As a cataloger, I am especially interested in how my institution's cataloging records are used by our patrons, and I have made suggestions for improvements in OPAC displays and search options in the two university libraries in which I have worked.
Kathy Glennan
Music Cataloger
University of Maryland
kglennan_at_umd.edu
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Deb Bergeron <bergeron_at_MACALESTER.EDU>
> Deb,
>
> To add a little spice to this, from my point of view, that is not the
> case. They are involved in changes, but want to make only changes that
> are good for them, not the patron or other users. They think in terms
> of the catalog being a staff module and not patron driven. Even when
> provided with a staff module, they are reluctant to use it.
>
> Deb
>
> DeGeorge, Deborah wrote:
> > Not necessarily -- catalogers themselves are divided, and it's not
> > necessarily as polar, for lack of a better term, as it may seem.
> >
> > Part of the issue is, from my point of view, that catalogers are not
> > being involved in said changes -- administrators and systems folk are
> > often treating catalogers as an afterthought.
> >
> > Deb
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Next generation catalogs for libraries
> > [mailto:NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu] On Behalf Of Deb Bergeron
> > Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 10:41 AM
> > To: NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu
> > Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] As a Library 'decision maker'
> >
> > Jerri,
> >
> > So I take it the catalogers are on the 'no change is necessary' side.
> >
> > Thanks for the clarification.
> >
> > Deb
> >
> > Jerri Swinehart wrote:
> >
> >> At 10:08 AM 9/14/2007, Deb Bergeron wrote:
> >>
> >>> Aaron,
> >>>
> >>> Can you please elaborate on this point:
> >>>
> >>> I'll leave changing cataloging practice for the catalogers to hash
> >>> out and hope they don't take too long, their window of opportunity
> >>> is already closing.
> >>>
> >>> What do you mean? Sorry if this is a rudimentary question.
> >>>
> >> Catalogers have had several rather tense conversations on
> >> other listservs about the future of cataloging. The division seems to
> >> fall (and correct me if I'm misreading posts)between those of us who
> >> understand that change will come and it's better to participate and
> >> those who say no change is necessary.
> >>
> >> It's really sort of a cultural war.
> >>
> >> Jerri Swinehart
> >> MLIS
> >> Library Assistant III
> >> Oakland University
> >> Kresge Library
> >> Technical Services
> >> Rochester, MI 48309-4484
> >> swinehar_at_oakland.edu
> >>
> >
> > --
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > --
> > Deb Bergeron <mailto:bergeron_at_macalester.edu>
> > CLIC <http://clic.edu>, System Administrator User Support
> > 1619 Dayton Ave. Suite 204A, Saint Paul, MN 55104
> >
> > T: 651.644.3878 C:651-487-7609 F:651.644.6258
> > bergeron_at_macalester.edu <mailto:bergeron_at_macalester.edu>
> > http://clic.edu
> >
>
> --
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Deb Bergeron <mailto:bergeron_at_macalester.edu>
> CLIC <http://clic.edu>, System Administrator User Support
> 1619 Dayton Ave. Suite 204A, Saint Paul, MN 55104
>
> T: 651.644.3878 C:651-487-7609 F:651.644.6258
> bergeron_at_macalester.edu <mailto:bergeron_at_macalester.edu>
> http://clic.edu
Received on Fri Sep 14 2007 - 10:20:21 EDT