What They Don't Teach in Library School:

Employers’ Expectations for Cataloging Recruits

Brian E. C. SchottlaenderThe Audrey Geisel University Librarian

University of California, San Diego

ALCTS CETRC 2007 PreconferenceALA Annual, Washington D.C.

OVERVIEW

Description & Prognostication:The Environment

Compilation & Analysis:UC San Diego Professional Cataloging Recruitments, 2001–Present

Extrapolation & Description: Skills Behaviors Values

“There are diverse and unmet needs …

… now arising within the academy … To the extent that libraries and their leaders can reposition themselves to serve these evolving needs—which pertain in part to the centralized storage, description, and delivery of academic resources, and in part to the organization and support of scholarly communication within and across higher education institutions—libraries [and academic librarians] will emerge as even more central and vibrant resources for their institutions.”

— “Changing Roles of Academic and Research

Libraries” ACRL Tech Summit (November 2006)  

“Today’s library staff …

… must include people who see themselves as active contenders in a race for relevance, regard, and resources. Some of its members must have strong technical skills and an ability to identify specific areas in which technology can advance the institution in fulfilling its academic mission. Library staff must be capable of working effectively in partnership with faculty members to enhance the strength of teaching and research.  … Library staffs in general must become more agile, [and] more highly attuned to, and more aggressive in proclaiming, just how different the world of knowledge has already become.”

— “Changing Roles of Academic and Research Libraries”

ACRL Tech Summit (November 2006)  

“Although ‘bibliographic control’

is a dated phrase …

… it refers to a fundamental truth of human knowledge: as the volume grows, principles of organization must be applied in order for knowledge to be used. … if librarians are involved at all, it is already clear that their role with respect to metadata will be vastly different from their old cataloging role. As libraries and other agencies continue to make information accessible via the Web, there will be considerable need within the academy for the development of portals, tools, and strategies customized for precision research on the vast Web…. So far, most major developments in these areas have taken place outside of libraries … If colleges and universities determine that librarians should be involved, this could constitute a solid platform for academic libraries in the next generation.”

— Jerry D. Campbell. “Changing a Cultural Icon: The Academic Library as a Virtual Destination.”

Educause Review, Vol. 41, No. 1 (January/February 2006)

“The best-trained professionals …

… to lead us through the metadata maze are catalogers. Catalogers understand that the basic concepts remain the same whether you have a MARC record in hand or a record encoded in simple Dublin Core. They know that key metadata issues such as granularity … accuracy, authority control, and controlled vocabularies still apply.”

— Roy Tennant. “Metadata Leadership.” Library Journal (15 August 2004)

“The library cataloger as metadata maven.”

— William E. Moen. “21st Century Cataloging …” [Presentation: Nevada Library Association Conference,

18 August 2006]

“Who better than librarians to show us the way forward?”

— Richard Lanham. “… Libraries in an Attention Economy.”

[Presentation: ALCTS 50th Anniversary Conference, 20 June 2007]

Top Ten Assumptions for the Future of Academic Libraries per ACRL

1. There will be an increased emphasis on digitizing collections, preserving digital archives, and improving methods of data storage and retrieval.

2. The skill set for librarians will continue to evolve in response to the needs and expectations of the changing populations (student and faculty) that they serve.

3. Students and faculty will increasingly demand faster and greater access to services.

4. Debates about intellectual property will become increasingly common in higher education.

5. The demand for technology related services will grow and require additional funding.

6. Higher education will increasingly view the institution as a business.7. Students will increasingly view themselves as customers and

consumers, expecting high quality facilities and services.8. Distance learning will be an increasingly common option in higher

education and will co-exist but not threaten the traditional bricks-and-mortar model.

9. Free, public access to information stemming from publicly funded research will continue to grow.

10.Privacy will continue to be an important issue in librarianship.<http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/march2007/acrlfl07.htm>

Top Ten Assumptions for the Future of Academic Libraries per ACRL

1. There will be an increased emphasis on digitizing collections, preserving digital archives, and improving methods of data storage and retrieval.

2. The skill set for librarians will continue to evolve in response to the needs and expectations of the changing populations (student and faculty) that they serve.

3. Students and faculty will increasingly demand faster and greater access to services.

4. Debates about intellectual property will become increasingly common in higher education.

5. The demand for technology related services will grow and require additional funding.

6. Higher education will increasingly view the institution as a business.7. Students will increasingly view themselves as customers and

consumers, expecting high quality facilities and services.8. Distance learning will be an increasingly common option in higher

education and will co-exist but not threaten the traditional bricks-and-mortar model.

9. Free, public access to information stemming from publicly funded research will continue to grow.

10.Privacy will continue to be an important issue in librarianship.<http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/march2007/acrlfl07.htm>

UCSD Libraries Professional “Cataloging”

Recruitments 2001/2002–2006/2007

1. Chinese Language Cataloger

2. Chinese Language Electronic Resources Cataloging Librarian

3. Head, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Cataloging

4. Head, Original Cataloging

5. Head, Serials Cataloging

6. Humanities Cataloger

7. Metadata Librarian

8. Metadata Specialist x 2

9. Original Cataloging Workleader

UCSD Libraries Professional “Cataloging”

Recruitments 2001/2002–2006/2007

1. 9 positions; 10 FTE

2. 5 FTE (50%) in librarian series, for which MLS is not required (but all incumbents have one)

3. 5 FTE (50%) in library professional series

4. All recruited into a department called Metadata Services since 2003

UCSD Libraries Professional Recruitments 2005/2006–2006/2007

MANAGERS [4]1. Head, Chinese, Japanese,

and Korean Cataloging2. Head, Original

Cataloging3. Head, Serials Cataloging4. Original Cataloging

Workleader

LANGUAGE SPECIALISTS [3]1. Chinese Language

Cataloger2. Chinese Language

Electronic Resources Cataloging Librarian

3. Head, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Cataloging

GENERALISTS [3]1. Metadata Librarian2. Metadata Specialist x 2

FORMAT SPECIALISTS [2]1. Chinese Language

Electronic Resources Cataloging Librarian

2. Head, Serials Cataloging

SUBJECT SPECIALISTS [1]1. Humanities Cataloger

UCSD Libraries Professional Recruitments 2005/2006–2006/2007

MANAGERS [4]1. Head, Chinese,

Japanese, and Korean Cataloging

2. Head, Original Cataloging3. Head, Serials Cataloging4. Original Cataloging

Workleader

LANGUAGE SPECIALISTS [3]

1. Chinese Language Cataloger

2. Chinese Language Electronic Resources Cataloging Librarian

3. Head, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Cataloging

GENERALISTS [3]1. Metadata Librarian2. Metadata Specialist x 2

FORMAT SPECIALISTS [2]1. Chinese Language

Electronic Resources Cataloging Librarian

2. Head, Serials Cataloging

SUBJECT SPECIALISTS [1]1. Humanities Cataloger

POSITION FUNCTIONS Phrase Frequency Count: Raw

3/3+:

the ucsd libraries’7policies and procedures7for the ucsd6the unit head6ucsd libraries’ digital6and implementation of5and bibliographic control5or initiates corrections4and makes or4and electronic resources4related to cataloging4corrections to reconcile4initiates corrections to4particularly those related4continuing and electronic4those related to4conflicts as necessary4and structural metadata4chinese language materials4in library committees4records as appropriate4in accordance with4to reconcile conflicts4the ucsd libraries4reconcile conflicts as4makes or initiates4problems and makes4in consultation with4repository managers to3hand with existing3structural metadata used3support the production3and collaborating with3it into the3groups similarly engaged3shared cataloging program3descriptive and subject3shelflists to incorporate3extended and creative3and web formats3including extended and3libraries’ digital assets3and subject cataloging3metadata standards and3other groups similarly3in catalog department3materials in all3metadata and importing3standards and best3and best practices3streams for producing3used to support3department policies and3data streams for3to incorporate the3for creating and3development of metadata3access to ucsd3incorporate the work3with existing materials3with the ucsd3and standards for3new approaches for3and access to3effective and efficient3in the collection3appropriate conferences and3managers to develop3in hand with3libraries’ digital projects3authority records as3the formulation and3collaborating with other3a member of3catalog department management3member of the3metadata used to3language materials in3approaches for creating3documentation and procedures3importing it into3bibliographic and authority3standards for descriptive3in the ongoing3uses of metadata3materials in the3of and access3the work in3existing materials in3ongoing development of3and special projects3as a member3with other groups3subject cataloging of3strategies and reliable3attending appropriate conferences3creating and manipulating3unit head and3into the digital3formulation and implementation3and creative uses3policies and standards3management of and3conferences and meetings3and reliable data3and authority data3and importing it3creative uses of3to support the3of metadata standards3reliable data streams3the ongoing development3to the formulation3of policies and3to develop cost3in print and3cost effective and3work in hand3develop cost effective3and efficient strategies3efficient strategies and3and repository managers3participates in library3implementation of policies3print and web3to ucsd libraries’3

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POSITION FUNCTIONS Phrase Frequency Count:

Distilled

12 to reconcile conflicts10 policies and procedures 8 initiates corrections to 7 and structural metadata 6 reliable data streams 6 libraries’ digital assets 6 cost effective and 5 and bibliographic control 4 and electronic resources 4 Chinese language

materials 3 shared cataloging

program 3 descriptive and subject 3 and web formats 3 and subject cataloging

3 standards and best 3 and best practices 3 data streams for 3 development of

metadata 3 effective and efficient 3 documentation and

procedures 3 bibliographic and

authority 3 standards for descriptive 3 subject cataloging of 3 policies and standards 3 and authority data 3 and efficient strategies 3 participates in library 3 print and web

POSITION FUNCTIONS Phrase Frequency Count:

Massaged and bibliographic control bibliographic and authority descriptive and subject standards for descriptive and authority data and subject cataloging subject cataloging of development of metadata and structural metadata

documentation and procedures policies and procedures policies and standards standards and best and best practices

initiates corrections to to reconcile conflicts

print and web libraries’ digital assets and electronic resources and web formats

cost effective and effective and efficient and efficient strategies

reliable data streams data streams for

Chinese language materials

shared cataloging program

participates in library

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, ABILITY Phrase Frequency Count: Raw

3/3+:working knowledge of21knowledge of the12oral and written10written communication skills8and written communication8ability to work7familiarity with the7sufficient to verify6one or more6sufficient to perform6be professionally active5metadata standards and5are expected to5degree from a5more fields relevant5the ability to5equivalent experience in5to be professionally5aptitude for complex5degree or equivalent5to library services5ucsd librarians are5fields relevant to5to participate in5experience in one5or equivalent experience5an aptitude for5or other appropriate5a library school5other appropriate degree5from a library5and implement projects5expected to participate5and to be5relevant to library5as well as5or more fields5in one or5appropriate degree or5librarians are expected5as a team4rapidly changing and4excel as a4and the ability4problem solving skills4as collegially in4to excel as4to work well4in a complex4and copy cataloging4analytic and problem4for complex analytical4and oral and4ability to excel4analytical skills to4collegially in a4to perform original4original and copy4and problem solving4changing and culturally4environment with various4to work independently4complex analytical and4professional degree from4of library staff4various groups of4in a dynamic4ability to plan4and an aptitude4groups of library4analytical and detailed4independently as well4skills and an4demonstrated ability to4standards and processes4diverse environment with4well as collegially4experience with naco4culturally diverse environment4with established and4familiarity with established4work independently as4with various groups4and culturally diverse4perform original and3demonstrated knowledge of3and create authority3experience in cataloging3work effectively in3using the anglo-american3knowledge of technical3create authority records3and tools relevant3leader in a3the oais reference3and to evaluate3manage and provide3tools relevant to3access to digital3systems that manage3oais reference model3large and diverse3technical services computer3earlier cataloging rules3set and maintain3team leader in3work well in3a team leader3experience with conser3and trends in3in metadata standards3in library-wide and3in a changing3verify descriptive information3work; initiative and3with library systems3anglo-american cataloguing rules3the innovative interfaces3to apply them3used in earlier3systems and software3a large and3to exercise creativity3library systems that3and subject headings3library-wide and system-wide3quality and quantity3library of congress3a changing environment3automated library systems3issues and trends3in equal measure3planning and governance3authority records as3rules and tools3commitment to professional3professional growth and3evaluate and upgrade3the anglo-american cataloguing3meet quality and3to verify descriptive3concepts used in3of the issues3and detailed work;3excellent analytic and3services computer systems3participate in library-wide3and quantity standards3and system-wide planning3of authority record3and meet quality3to digital objects3to work effectively3demonstrated successful supervisory3and diverse organization3effectively in a3and to exercise3detailed work; initiative3established and emerging3records as needed3emerging metadata standards3and follow through3descriptive information and3in earlier cataloging3organization skills and3be able to3and automated library3rules sufficient to3initiative and follow3well in a3knowledge of authority3strong service orientation3cataloging rules sufficient3the issues and3ability to apply3integrated library system3to evaluate and3and provide access3the rules and3to professional growth3computer systems and3with the concepts3that manage and3in a large3the concepts used3of the rules3exercise creativity and3information and to3and emerging metadata3and maintain priorities3to be able3growth and development3system-wide planning and3creativity and initiative3of technical services3successful supervisory experience3provide access to3

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KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, ABILITY Phrase Frequency Count:

Distilled 16 written communication skills

12 to work independently12 create authority records10 oral and written10 aptitude for complex10 expected to participate 9 commitment to professional 9 automated library systems 8 metadata standards and 8 to perform original 8 problem solving skills 8 for complex analytical 8 well as collegially 6 Anglo-American Cataloguing

Rules 6 to exercise creativity 6 and system-wide planning 6 emerging metadata standards 6 the oais reference 5 be professionally active

4 original and copy 4 and copy cataloging 4 analytic and problem 4 analytical skills to 4 ability to plan 4 analytical and detailed 4 standards and processes 3 earlier cataloging rules 3 verify descriptive information 3 issues and trends 3 rules and tools 3 excellent analytic and 3 participate in library-wide 3 organization skills and 3 strong service orientation 3 ability to apply 3 to evaluate and 3 and maintain priorities 3 creativity and initiative

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, ABILITY Phrase Frequency Count:

Massaged aptitude for complex

for complex analytical excellent analytic and analytical and detailed analytical skills to analytic and problem problem solving skills to exercise creativity creativity and initiative

standards and processes earlier cataloging rules Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules metadata standards and emerging metadata standards the OAIS reference

perform original and original and copy and copy cataloging verify descriptive information create authority records

commitment to professional be professionally active expected to participate participate in library-wide and system-wide planning

ability to plan organization skills and ability to apply to evaluate and and maintain priorities

issues and trends rules and tools

written communication skills oral and written

to work independently well as collegially

automated library systems

strong service orientation

SKILLS: General

Critical thinking skills Analysis Problem solving Evaluation

Communication skills Listening Writing

Ability to work independently Ability to work well with others Able to plan and organize Able to set and maintain priorities

SKILLS: Functional/Technical Knowledge of metadata apparatus, including:

AACR MARC FRBR various other metadata standards, schema,

models, and structures Descriptive, administrative, structural,

technical E.g., Dublin Core, VRA Core, EAD, METS,

MODS, OAI, RDF Knowledge of authority structures and their role

and utility, including: Names Subjects

Knowledge of automated library systems

BEHAVIORS

Creative

Takes initiative

Participates

Follows issues and trends

Has strong service orientation

VALUES

Access to information

Profession and professional

development

Change

Continuous learning

Themselves