While I realize that creating a well-designed catalog for all users
(including catalogers) is a controversial subject, what I don't quite
understand is why this is an issue when we now have the ability via
open-source to develop dual-catalog interfaces that 'play well' with ILS
modules, thus giving us the ability to design for both the patron and
the staff (librarians/catalogers). What am I missing?
Thanks for any clarification.
Deb
Jonathan Rochkind wrote:
> Well, I guess I don't neccesarily agree.
>
> Certainly if catalogers job is important (and it is), then we should
> make sure we have tools in place that allow them to do their job well
> and efficiently.
>
> But since the primary purpose of the catalog, the reason catalogers
> create the catalog, is in fact for our patrons/users (and their agents,
> such as reference librarians) to find what they're looking for---then I
> will controversially argue that it is much much more important when
> designing and structuring the catalog to meet these users needs, the
> users who the catalog actually exists for, then to meet catalogers
> needs. The number of minutes catalogers spend using the catalog is
> irrelevant to me in making this determination. What matter is the
> mission of the catalog in the first place, and the mission of the
> catalog is not to serve catalogers.
>
> Jonathan
>
> Ralph Papakhian wrote:
>> hi,
>> i don't think i said anything about the primary purpose of the catalog.
>>
>> all i meant was that, compared to all users of catalogs as in minutes
>> per
>> day, catalogers are heavy users of the catalog. those cataloger user
>> needs
>> should be as valid as any other user needs.
>>
>> --r
>> On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:19:47 -0400, Jonathan Rochkind
>> <rochkind_at_JHU.EDU> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> It sounds to me as if you are suggesting the primary purpose of the
>>> catalog is to help catalogers... create catalog records... for the
>>> catalog... which exists to help catalogers create catalog records for
>>> the catalog.
>>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Jonathan Rochkind
> Digital Services Software Engineer
> The Sheridan Libraries
> Johns Hopkins University
> 410.516.8886
> rochkind (at) jhu.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
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Received on Mon Sep 17 2007 - 11:51:48 EDT