Present: Matthew Beacom (guest), Eva Bolkovac (guest), Tom Bolze, Daniel Lovins, Youn Noh, Rebecca Slitt, Britta Santamauro, Dajin Sun (guest), Joan Swanekamp (guest)
Absent: Patricia Thurston (guest)

1. Report on task force’s activities

Daniel reviewed the issues outline. Eva commented on Marty Kurth’s presentation at a NELINET workshop (on the role of catalogers in interoperability and interdisciplinary collaboration) and provided slides from the presentation.

Joan commented that catalog librarians at Yale are specialists rather than generalists, so a reorganization based upon technology alone would not work here. Daniel mentioned some pilot projects, including one involving the Amichai archive. Nanette Stahl has applied for research leave to work on a finding aid with the hope/expectation of getting some metadata support from our department. Daniel commented on the importance of launching projects (like this one) from within the catalog department, given our critical mass of technical, metadata and language expertise. Joan replied that once we get a repository, perhaps this fall, it will be easier to manage digital projects.

2. Catalog department vision statement

Joan shared some ideas for the vision statement, and the group provided feedback. Joan will present the vision statement to Meg Bellinger on Monday, March 20, 2006. The vision statement will be used to formulate department and team goals, as well as individual goals and learning plans. Current ideas include:

I. The catalog department will support a range of metadata formats for lifecycle management of digital resources and for discovery, access, and use.

II. The catalog department will provide coordination and support for metadata creation on campus.

III. The catalog department will explore federated access to digital and print resources.

IV. The catalog department will assume a new role as knowledge managers for students and faculty. (They will help them organize their collections.)

V. The catalog department will support pilot projects.

Discussion

Matthew commented that the department has experience with all but the oldest standards. Eva asked if fee based services are being considered. Joan replied that fee based services were included as a long-term goal in a presentation made yesterday by DPIP to IAC.

The new space in CCL will include a knowledge management area where students will be able to get help with digital resources (not just searching and access, but also creation and use). The current plan is to have the area staffed by ITS. Joan stated that she believes that librarians should staff the area (if not reference librarians, catalogers).

Daniel asked if the catalog department might be overstepping by taking on duties traditionally assigned to ITS and Manuscripts and Archives. Joan replied that Meg is receptive to the idea of the catalog department taking a leading role because it is perceived as neutral. Tom asked if electronic resources for classes belonged at Manuscripts and Archives. Joan replied that getting the catalog department involved would facilitate the transfer of faculty collections to the library. Daniel commented that the Web is considered a publishing medium, so collections on the Web can no longer be considered private (and therefore an exclusive provence of MSS&A). Rebecca and Daniel responded favorably to the idea of librarians as knowledge managers. Eva emphasized the importance of forming a partnership with ITS. Joan commented that the role of the usability librarian would become increasingly important. Rather than relying upon outdated studies, we will be able to analyze our own data and modify our cataloging practices accordingly. Eva added that working with curators and selectors would also be important.

Other ideas

Daniel emphasized the importance of development work and experimentation within the department. Joan suggested that Daniel speak to Matthew, who is preparing a proposal to bring tools (e.g., a development/database server?) within the department. Dajin and Eva added that tools are also needed for catalog maintenance. Eva is a part of the group that is working with Matthew on the proposal. Dajin pointed out that the PC has largely been supplanted by Web servers as the catalog development medium of choice. It makes sense for the department to avail itself of server training and technology.

Youn suggested that pilot projects be thought of as opportunities for teaching and learning. Joan elaborated on this: the department needs to develop a project orientation and make projects sustainable, which would support the Library’s goal to become more agile and flexible. Joan suggested some ways to achieve this: prioritizing projects (e.g., the priority given to a record management system for the University; each department had to contribute funds), learning to do cost analysis, and developing other project management skills.

3. Future directions for the task force

Daniel asked Joan if the task force’s charge had been exhausted and if it should be dissolved. Joan replied that the task force’s charge includes supporting the implementation of the department’s vision.

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