Technical Services Librarianship at Kent State

University: Retooling, Reskilling, RDA

Roman S. PanchyshynCatalog Librarian,

Assistant ProfessorKent State University

LibrariesALCTS RPLTS IG, January

26, 2013Seattle WA

Introduction• Goal is to examine the evolution

of the professional librarian positions at Kent State University Libraries Technical Services

• Focus on– Change and managing change– Retooling and reskilling– Attitudes

Changes and Challenges• Change is constant—ALWAYS be

proactive to change• What is changing for TS

librarians? Everything– Budgets– Types of resources– Staffing– Standards–Workflows

Opportunity with Change• Change affords opportunity for

TS librarians• Library Dean, in collaboration

with HR, is currently implementing a succession planning program to identify critical and non-critical tasks (constant reorganization)

• Do a SWOT analysis of yourself and department to identify areas of opportunity

Opportunities Found Here• Shift in emphasis in cataloging

and acquisitions from print to electronic

• Demand driven acquisitions (DDA) plans

• Implementation of new cataloging standard (RDA)

• Emphasis on project management vs. routine workflows

• Teaching and education (mentoring)

KSUL TS Response• Address shift to electronic

resources (managed change)–Hired Electronic Resources

Librarian with knowledge of licensing

– Reduced bindery staff and reassigned resources to serials and electronic resources

–Developed training, workflows and updated procedures for staff

Impact of Electronic Resources and DDA

• Greatly increased the need for systems (IT) work and batch processing in TS

• Provided opportunity for librarians to bring new skill sets (IT skills) into TS (from systems)– Batch processing and MARC record

manipulation– Load table training– Use of coding languages and scripts

Further Benefits• Expertise now puts us “at the

table” when negotiations for electronic resource packages take place

• Increases TS department visibility within the Library because we proactively “advertise” what we do to the library community

DDA: Another Successful Example

• DDA Pilot Test: TS Librarians played active role in:–Developing MARC record quality

specifications (acquisitions and bibliographic data) with vendor (YBP)

–Developing workflow processes for timely batch processing of data

–Developing staff training programs and procedures

RDA: More Opportunity Knocks

• Transition to the RDA standard offers TS librarians the opportunity to become leaders and educators

• Make a decision that you want to be at the forefront of this change, at the head of the curve

KSU TS Librarians and RDA• In 2010 we participated informally

in the national RDA field test• In 2011 we organized RDA training

workshops for staff by format, an internal reskilling process

• In 2012, workflows and procedures established for copy cataloging (LC & PCC guidelines)

• In 2013, working toward NACO independence and will transition all original cataloging to RDA by March 31

RDA Benefits of Early Adoption

• Increased visibility and recognition locally and nationally– Consortial (OhioLINK) leadership

role• Well trained and prepared staff

available to work in RDA• Ample opportunities for

teaching, research and publication

Project Management • Emphasis now on electronic

resource management, more work shifting from day-to day operations to project management

• Many of these projects involve issues with library physical space and new services

Recent and Upcoming KSUL Projects

• Collaborative creation and maintenance of state-wide depository system (OHDEP)

• Library mergers (College of Podiatric Medicine)

• Collection shifting (offsite) and weeding (print journals)

• Batch reclamation for OCLC holdings

• Consortial ETD project • System migration (preparation for

Sierra)

Project Management Opportunities

• Professional librarians–Develop skills in project

management leadership and documentation

– Allows you more leeway to train and manage staff and students in positions that best fit their skills

–Develop relationships with other areas of library and external vendors/customers

– Again provides more opportunities for teaching, research and publication

Research Publication Example• How we prepare and document

every batch cataloging project at KSUL

Panchyshyn, R. S. (2013). Asking the Right Questions: An E-Resource Checklist for Documenting Cataloging Decisions for Batch Cataloging Projects. Technical Services Quarterly, 30(1), 15-37

Teaching and Education• Research and publication

opportunities have already been discussed

• Professional TS librarians at KSU must have the ability to continuously mentor and train– Permanent staff– Large pool of student workers (KSU

librarians here have published articles on this topic)

• We are responsible to establish and define levels of competency and quality

More Opportunities• There are also other regional and

consortial opportunities for TS librarians. Examples are:–Delivering RDA training for staff

from other institutions, both public and academic

– Increased chance of serving on local, regional, or consortial organizations or committees that impact our profession (and our future)

• Obstacles do exist

Define Success in TS• What factors define a successful

professional librarian in Technical Services at KSUL?– Number 1 is SERVICE for our users– Ability to identify and exploit

opportunities provided by change (such as obtaining Tier 1 cataloging status in OhioLINK with the addition of MeSH)

– Ability to articulate (communicate) our goals and results clearly

– Willingly share knowledge and expertise with our profession

TS Librarian Impact• Always define and promote the

value of the work of TS staff and department

• Be proactive in all decisions that involve TS department and staff. Insure that TS staff is constantly challenged regarding training and reskilling

• Look to constantly improve skill sets, and bring skill sets in from elsewhere to TS

Questions?

Contact Information

Roman S. Panchyshyn, Catalog Librarian, Assistant

ProfessorKent State University

330-672-1699rpanchys@kent.edu