Options for Delivering and Accessing Bibliographic Information

Magda El-SherbiniHead, Cataloging DepartmentOhio State University Libraries

Library Council Technical Services RetreatMohican Resort and Conference Center

April 1-2, 2008El-sherbini.1@osu.edu

Background

• Budget• Streamlining the process and workflow• Shifting resources• Downsizing technical staff• Redefined quality of cataloging in particular• Consortia and networks• Multiple systems

Current mechanism for processing and delivering information

Search OPAC Bib found, add copy or vol.

No bib record found in OPAC

Search OCLC WorldCAT

Record found, update holding

No matching found 1) Create new2) Update holding

Export record to OPAC

OPAC

OCLC WorldCAT

Start Here

Questions

• Is the current model that includes library OPAC’s, bibliographic utilities and the consortia offer the optimal solution for the library of the 21st century?

• Can libraries streamline their mechanisms used to deliver and access information? Are libraries making the best use of today’s technologies?

• Are libraries comfortable with these scattered services,

assuming that users are provided with the best service?

Some assumptions

• Search engines and the Internet are here to stay.

• Search engines could be a new form of bibliographic utility with more flexibility and accessibility.

• Internet use will increase in the future.

Various Scenarios for Delivering and Accessing Bibliographic

Information

Scenario 1CONSORTIA/OCLC

WORLDCAT/SEARCH ENGINES

LibraryWorkstation

ConsortiaOCLC

WorldCAT

Google/Yahoo! and other search

engines

Figure 12:

Scenario 2OCLC WorldCAT/SEARCH ENGINES

LibraryLibrary Library

OCLC

Google/Yahoo! and other search engines

Patron

GoogleYahoo! and other search

engines

OCLC Resources

Sharing

Request

Lend or Borrow

Search and Find

Scenario 3 LOCAL OPAC/SEARCH ENGINES

Library OPAC

Library OPAC

Library OPACA

Google/Yahoo! and other search engines

Scenario 4OPACs/OCLC WORLDCAT/SEARCH ENGINES FOR PRINTED

MATERIALS

REPOSITORY/SEARCH ENGINES FOR DIGITAL MATERIALS

Library OPAC for print

materials

Library Repository for

digital materials

OCLC WorldCAT

Google/Yahoo!and other

search engines

Scenario 5OPAC/Repository/Search Engines

CONCLUSION

• Options presented here are intended to initiate a debate and discussions in the library community.

• Until now we have focused most of our attention on

streamlining internal operations. e.g. technical and public services.

• What makes this scenario exciting is that libraries are in a good position to provide full text access to some materials that exist in digital formats

• search engines as the Earth’s Largest Library”?

Conclusion Cont…

• By eliminating the middle steps of creating, accessing and retrieving information via intermediaries, such as regional consortia and costly OPAC’s, libraries might realize substantial savings that could be diverted to enrich bibliographic records that form the foundation of the current bibliographic structure.

• One of the key questions is whether librarians can

envision a future without the OPACs, the consortia, and bibliographic utilities, and embrace the major Internet

Thank you!