*Apologies for cross/multiple postings*

Developing a Library Metadata Policy

October 13-14, 2010

Hosted by Melanie Wacker and Susan Massey

Please join us for an e-forum discussion.  It’s free and open to everyone!

Registration information is at the end of the message.

Each day, sessions begin and end at:

• Pacific: 7am – 3pm
• Mountain: 8am – 4pm
• Central: 9am – 5pm
• Eastern: 10am – 6pm

As libraries move toward using non-MARC metadata schema to describe their collections in addition to MARC format cataloging, many discover the need to develop a local metadata policy.  This e-forum is intended to be a two-day session to discuss the following topics, as well as other related ideas:

• What kinds of information do you think should be included in a library metadata policy?
• What metadata policies that other libraries have applied successfully are available as models for developing a policy? 
• If your library uses a metadata policy, does the scope cover only your library’s collections, other departments within your institution (such as an institutional repository), or a cooperative effort of multiple libraries? In situations with multiple sources of data input, are there issues with policy enforcement?
• Does the policy focus on one metadata schema and one resource format, or does it address multiple tools applied across a variety of formats? Are there guidelines for choice of schema depending upon the format?
• Is consistency of headings a concern of the metadata policy?  How is name authority control or choice of controlled vocabulary addressed in an environment that uses multiple tools and formats?
• Does the policy provide for data cross-walking between schema or for a unified search environment?  Are there specific elements that are mandatory for all records to enable user access?

Melanie Wacker is the Metadata Coordinator in the Original Serial & Monograph Cataloging unit of the Butler Library, Columbia University Libraries. She has previously worked as a cataloger at Columbia University Libraries and at the Watson Library of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Melanie is chair of the CUL Metadata Working Group and currently serves on the RLG Partners Working Group on Social Metadata.

Susan A. Massey is the Head of Cataloging at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, and has also worked in cataloging at the Historic New Orleans Collection, the University of Alabama, Florida Institute of Technology, Brevard Community College, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.  She currently participates on the Metadata Subcommittee of the Florida Council of State University Libraries Technical Services Planning Committee, and is the vice-chair of the ALCTS Cataloging & Classification Research Interest Group.

*What is an e-forum?*

 An ALCTS e-forum provides an opportunity for librarians to discuss matters of interest, led by a moderator, through the e-forum discussion list. The e-forum discussion list works like an email listserv: register your email address with the list, and then you will receive messages and communicate with other participants through an email discussion.  Most e-forums last two to three days. Registration is necessary to participate, but it's free.  See a list of upcoming e-forums at: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alcts/confevents/upcoming/e-forum/index.cfm

*To register:*

Instructions for registration are available at: http://bit.ly/eforuminfo. Once you have registered for one e-forum, you do not need to register again, unless you choose to leave the email list.  Participation is free and open to anyone.

-- 
Kristin E. Martin
Metadata Librarian and Acting Electronic Resources Librarian
Resource Acquisitions and Management (MC 234)
2-390 Richard J. Daley Library
University of Illinois at Chicago
801 S. Morgan
Chicago, IL  60607
312-413-5052
312-413-0424 (Fax)
kmarti@uic.edu