Cataloging Futures Weblog

Here is another cataloging weblog to add to your reader, Cataloging Futures.

The focus of this blog is the future of cataloging and metadata in libraries. The preparation of the new cataloging code, RDA: Resource Description and Access, is a significant issue. The future of the MARC 21 format will also be explored. ILS/OPAC's future will be touch on also, but will not be the central focus. Also, I hope to use this blog to collocate some of the important papers, articles, websites, etc. that deal with the future of cataloging and metadata.

Weblogs

Addition to the MARC Code Lists for Relators, Sources, Description Conventions

The codes listed below have been recently approved for use in MARC 21 records. The codes will be added to the online MARC Code Lists for Relators, Sources, Description Conventions.

The codes should not be used in exchange records until after June 5, 2007. This 60-day waiting period is required to provide MARC 21 implementers time to include newly defined codes in any validation tables they may apply to the MARC fields where the codes are used.

Classification Sources
The following code is for use in subfield $2 in field 084 in Bibliographic and Community Information records (Other Classification Number), in subfield $2 in field 084 in Classification records (Classification Scheme and Edition) and in subfield $2 in field 065 in Authority records (Other Classification Number).

Addition:

ncsclt

New classification scheme for Chinese libraries
(Taipei: Wen-hua) [use only after June 5, 2007]

Term, Name, Title Sources
The following codes are for use in subfield $2 in fields 600-657 in Bibliographic and Community Information records, and in subfield $f in field 040 (Cataloging Source) in Authority records.

Additions:

finmesh

FinMeSH [use only after June 5, 2007]

muzeukc

MuzeMusic UK classical music classification (London: Muze Europe Ltd) [use only after June 5, 2007]

muzeukn

MuzeMusic UK non-classical music classification (London: Muze Europe Ltd) [use only after June 5, 2007]

csht

Chinese subject headings (Taipei: National Central Library) [use only after June 5, 2007]

lcstt

List of Chinese subject terms (Taipei: National Central Library) [use only after June 5, 2007]

The following code is for use in subfield $2 in fields 600-657 in Bibliographic and Community Information records, in subfield $f in field 040 (Cataloging Source) and in subfield $2 in 7XX (Linking Entry) fields in Authority records.

Addition:

bibalex

Bibliotheca Alexandrina name and subject authority file (Alexandria, Egypt: Bibliotheca Alexandrina) [use only after June 5, 2007]

MARC

Google Summer of Code

Among the 900 projects selected for the Google Summer of Code is one for cataloging.

The purpose of this project is to create a professional web-based library cataloging application for searching, retrieving and editing library catalog records. It will be capable of integrating with any Integrated Library System using the Z39.50 protocol. The user interface will be as responsive to user input as possible and include the use of keyboard shortcuts and integrated help features. It will allow the user to search for records on user-defined Z39.50-enabled library catalogs, edit the records efficiently, and save them in standards compliant formats from which they can be imported into a library catalog.

This application would benefit the library community by providing an intuitive, customizable, professional interface for library catalogers which would work with existing Library Systems. Currently, libraries either have to pay to use proprietary cataloging systems or are limited to the editing interface which comes with their Integrated Library System. Not only would an open source alternative provide a free editor, it would also allow libraries to customize it to meet their cataloging staff's needs.

Cataloging

Skypecasting

Recently we got DSL at home, an upgrade from our dial-connection. So I've been exploring Skype. Nice. Works fine and is simple enough to use. We had used it when traveling and the place we were staying had a high-speed connection. Cora just finished her term as VP for the Texas Music Educators' Association and she often used it at board meetings.

Now I notice there is a service called Skypecasts, lets you talk to as many as 100 people and have control of who speaks and when. Looks like a useful tool. Anyone using it? I'm going to have an experimental Skypecast, just to get a feel for the tool and how it works. I'll just be reading my weekly podcast What's New at the Lunar and Planetary Institute Library. Wednesday evening at 8 Central Time. I have it down for 15 minuets, the shortest time slot they have, but it is more likely to last about 5 minuets, unless lots of folks join and say Hi.

Skype