Options for Delivering and Accessing Bibliographic Information

1. Options for Delivering and Accessing Bibliographic Information Magda El-Sherbini Head, Cataloging Department Ohio State University Libraries Library Council Technical Services RetreatMohican Resort and Conference Center April 1-2, 2008 El-sherbini.1@osu.edu

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

3. No matching found 1) Create new 2) Update holding Search OCLC WorldCAT OCLC WorldCAT Record found, update holding No bib record found in OPAC Export record to OPAC Search OPAC Bib found, add copy or vol. OPAC Current mechanism for processing and delivering information Start Here

4. 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?

5. 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.

6. Various Scenarios for Delivering and Accessing Bibliographic Information

7. Scenario 1CONSORTIA/OCLC WORLDCAT/SEARCH ENGINES Google/Yahoo! and other search engines OCLC WorldCAT Consortia Library Workstation

10. Figure 12:

11. Scenario 2OCLC WorldCAT/SEARCH ENGINES Library Library Library OCLC Google/Yahoo! and other search engines

12. Google Yahoo! and other search engines Search and Find Patron Request OCLC Resources Sharing Lend or Borrow

13. Scenario 3LOCAL OPAC/SEARCH ENGINES Library OPAC Library OPACA Library OPAC Google/Yahoo! and other search engines

14. Google/Yahoo! and other search engines Scenario 4OPACs/OCLC WORLDCAT/SEARCH ENGINES FOR PRINTED MATERIALSREPOSITORY/SEARCH ENGINES FOR DIGITAL MATERIALS Library OPAC for print materials Library Repository for digital materials OCLC WorldCAT

15. Scenario 5OPAC/Repository/Search Engines

22. 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

23. 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

24. Thank you!