> 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?
I don't get this either. I know with Voyager and some other integrated
library systems, it is very simple to design multiple versions of the OPAC
when it is determined staff (or other types of users) need different
features. Many Voyager libraries use this to create different versions of
the OPAC for different branch or subject libraries (music libraries being
a notable one). The public interface should be designed for the public. I
understand that the poor under-paid catalogers (to paraphrase an earlier
post) are users too, but there needs can be met in ways that don't effect
the reason we have the OPAC in the first place (and for that matter,
catalogers and librarians in general) - so that patrons can access
materials.
Edward
>
> 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
>
> T: 651.644.3878 C:651-487-7609 F:651.644.6258
>
Received on Tue Sep 18 2007 - 19:56:11 EDT