Jane, I would want to know more about the methodology of this survey
before drawing conclusions from the results. In the last weeks we have
seen mails to the LITA-L list from this same organization asking
librarians to take a survey -- I think relating to open source software
use. If this cataloging survey used that same methodology for soliciting
responses, then I would be unlikely to give it much weight since then
there is no randomizing of the sample. The statistics in this cataloging
report are raw percentages, with no "statistical significance" given.
Perhaps one feels that we needn't be so precise, but I would feel more
confident if assured that proper methodology was followed.
kc
On 4/6/13 7:07 PM, Greenberg, Jane wrote:
> Greetings all ~
>
>
>
> I'm not surprised regarding some of the below figures, and yet concerned about what it might reveal (or not highlight) w.r.t. the future of cataloging.
>
>
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> Please don't misunderstand me. I applaud that this work has been pursued (thank you to Primary RG!). It is important to conduct this research. Additionally, I haven't read the full report. My comments are, therefore, directed to the below numbers indicating that cataloging (as it was defined in the survey) is becoming increasingly a para professional activity, much outsourcing, etc.
>
>
>
> I'm not completely surprised by these figures, along with the expression of RDA likely not having too significant an impact on the catalogers role. I'm pleased by the fact that there is a there's at least hours invested in cataloging education among staff, although I'm not sure if there is funding to support these folks. (I suspect a directed toward RDA, metadata, and linked data on some level).
>
>
>
> What concerns me is the significance of cataloging -- broadly speaking, and that these number may present an inaccurate picture. Simply, I am thinking about the larger enterprise (for lack of a better word) of cataloging throughout the entire university, encompassing digital curation, archival cataloging, data management, repository development, etc., (metadata – metadata – metadata) where cataloging staff are either being called upon, or have a potential. In short, how we talk about cataloging matters. I see over and over again .. folks are reinventing what has been studied and known (I see this with my data colleagues)... and so.. I just want to raise the issue here with this reporting and how we scope and discuss cataloging. (I know I'm biased, b/c I think everything is cataloging/metadata). I'd appreciate hearing from others on this topic either on this list or separately.
>
>
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> In short, I do hope to get a chance to read the report, although the price is mighty steep! I do worry how administrators may view it, and use the numbers. And, as an educator, such figures can impact faculty curriculum votes and preferences.
>
>
>
> all good wishes, jane
> ………………………………………………………………………………
> Jane Greenberg
> Professor, School of Information and Library Science
> Director, Metadata Research Center <MRC><http://ils.unc.edu/>
> University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
> janeg_at_email.unc.edu<mailto:janeg_at_email.unc.edu>
> +1-919-962-8066
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
>
>
> Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2013 10:39:22 -0400
>
> From: James Moses <primarydat_at_AOL.COM<mailto:primarydat_at_AOL.COM>>
>
> Subject: Primary Research Group Inc. has published The Survey of Academic Library Cataloging Practices, 2013 Edition, ISBN 978-157440-234-6
>
>
>
> Primary Research Group Inc. has published The Survey of Academic Library Cataloging Practices, 2013 Edition, ISBN 978-157440-234-6. This 230+ page study is based on data from 80 academic libraries predominantly in the United States and Canada and gives a detailed picture of how libraries are responding to the challenging changes in the environment for academic library cataloging. Among the many issues covered are: new resource description cataloging rules, perceptions of the future of cataloging and the prestige of the profession, productivity enhancement measures, use of outsourcing for many different kinds of materials, views on the preparedness of library science grads in various facets of cataloging. The report also covers developments in personnel, salaries, use of technology and more. Questionnaire development assistance for this report was provided by Michael A. Cerbo. Mr. Cerbo is the Bibliographic Access and Resource Management Librarian at the University of R!
hode Island.
>
>
>
> Just a few of the many findings in the report are:
>
>
>
> • The majority of survey participants (60.49 percent) say the new Resources Description and Access cataloging rules will “not really enhance” the cataloger’s role in future library decisions.
>
> • Just 7.41 percent of libraries in the sample have marketed the new RDA cataloging rules outside the library.
>
> • The survey participants spent a mean of 49.09 hours of staff time in the past year in viewing webinars, videos, online tutorials, conferences, formal classroom training, and on other aids for cataloging education.
>
> • At least 50 percent of all those participants at schools with an annual tuition less than $18,000 say copy cataloging is performed mostly by paraprofessional support staff, while only 23.08 percent of those at schools where the tuition is more than $18,000 say the same.
>
> • 26.67 percent of research libraries and 23.53 percent of colleges with more than 20,000 students report that bibliographic upgrades in OCLC are handled by both paraprofessionals and professional librarians who work at the library.
>
> • Over the last five years, the libraries in the sample gained a mean of 0.42 positions in cataloging library support staff.
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> • More than half (56.79 percent) of all survey participants say the cataloger’s pay rate has increased by less than 2.5 percent over the last four years.
>
> • 53.33% of research universities in the sample say that they outsource the updating of headings in bibliographic records.
>
> • 28.4% of survey participants outsource eJournal cataloging.
>
> • More than 23% of librarians at colleges with an annual tuition of more than $18,000 per year spot check all vendor supplied records.
>
>
>
> For further information view our website at www.PrimaryResearch.com<http://www.PrimaryResearch.com>.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
>
>
> End of NGC4LIB Digest - 4 Apr 2013 to 5 Apr 2013 (#2013-36)
>
> ***********************************************************
--
Karen Coyle
kcoyle@kcoyle.net http://kcoyle.net
ph: 1-510-540-7596
m: 1-510-435-8234
skype: kcoylenet
Received on Sun Apr 07 2013 - 09:56:07 EDT