Cataloguing Australia

Volume 24 No. 1 - 4: March - December 1999

From the editor

[editorial] Ross Harvey

13th National cataloguing conference opening address

Ann Huthwaite

Uncharted territory: Facilitating access to information resources in cyberspace

Tom Delsey
Abstract Digital technology has radically altered the environment within which library cataloguing operates. While digital resources may be simlar to their printed antecedents in certain respects, they exhibit characteristics of both content and format that are uniquely associated with the technology that is used to produce and disseminate them.

Dublin Core and AGLS metadata

Renato Iannella and Hoylen Sue
Abstract Dublin Core is the premier metadata standard dveloped for the internet. The Australian Government Locator Service (AGLS) metadata standard is the standard for Australian government resources.

The how of metadata: Metadata creation standards

Jennie Thornely
Abstract Metadata has been recognised as an effective method of assisting internet users to navigate the vast resources of the internet. The objective of this paper is to discuss the process of metadata creation and, as a corollary, the issues and problems arising from the process.

Simplicity vs structure: Which way for Dublin Core?

Prue Deacon
Abstract Implementation of the Dublin Core is patchy and inconsistent because of the conflic between minimalists and structuralists. Minimalists want to keep the Dublin Core as simple as possible, so simple that authors can create metadata at the time of resource preparation. Structuralists want to add qualifiers to categorise information more precisely.

Scott and the race for the South Pole: the heroic failure of cataloguing the web

Reg Mu Sung
Abstract Scott's race to the South Pole against Amundsen captured the imagination of the world. In spite of extensive planning and experience, Scott and his party were beaten to the Pole and perished on the return journey...

Scott and the race for the South Pole: the triumph of metadata

Kerrie Talmacs
Abstract Just as many factors determine the success of expeditions, many approaches will be required to overcome the chaos of the world wide web. While some people contend that librarians have left their run too late, there are many experiments and projects underway to which aim to assist web searching.

An exploration of the application of classification systems as a method of resource delivery on the world wide web

Fran Robbins
Abstract The use of classification systems in library catalogues has been part and parcel of technical services work for a long time. Classification numbers have largely been seen as mere 'parking spots' for items on the shelves but, with moves afoot to apply classification numbers to internet resources, somewhat more lateral thinking is required.

Just beyond the 856: Mediation in access to electronic resources

Rachel Salmond
Abstract In recent years libraries have acknowledged the need to provide access through their catalogues to the electronic resources they own or subscribe to, as well as to other free electronic resources which they have identified as significant for their users.

Web catalogue wonders: Ever evolving access

Ebe Kartus and Michelle Watson
Abstract The advent of the web catalogue provides exciting opportunities to enhance access to various materials ranging from manuscripts to electronic resources. this paper describes some of the ways Deakin University Library is providing access to targeted resources using web technology.

Impact of technology on electronic resources cataloguing within teams in an academic library

Eve Young
Abstract Buddy, an in-house web-based gateway, was created to provide direct title and subject access to over 4 000 networked and stand-alone databases. Its main advantage is that it can automatically download individual titles from full-text databases on the web.

What's in a name? Pitfalls of outsourcing authority control

Helen Hoffman
Abstract This paper highlights the problems that can occur as a result of outsourcing the authority control of a library's database to an overseas company. Its findings underline the issues faced by Australian libraries using two sepaprate authority files and retrieving records form ABN/Kinetica and American sources.

Authorities and more authorities! Loading LCSH at Griffith University Library

Jilleen Chambers
Abstract At the end of 1998, Griffith University Library loaded the Library of Congress subject authority records, which are maintained by weekly updates received via FTP. Issues that had to be resolved included scheduling of the initial load, establishing load profiles, database clean-up, conflict resolution and ongoing maintenance.

Authority control and the local catalogue

Patricia Scott
Abstract This paper details features of local catalogue software that are desirable for the efficient and effective handling of MARC authority records. In each case reasons why each feature is required are discussed.

Kinetica: Future issues

Andrew Wells and Julia Trainor
Abstract This paper looks at the future development of Kinetica, taking into account the changing business and technological environment in which libraries are operating. It considers hoiw Kinetica can and should support shared cataloguing, interlibrary loan and document supply, taking into account the outsourcing of technical services, the impact of Z39.50 and the availability of bibliographic resources internationally.

Understanidings of thesauri in the online dialogue: Implications for construction and display

Helmut Klaus
Abstract While thesauri are important constituents of information retrievalsystems, user-system interaction is based on meaning and interpretation. Thus, insight into how thesauri are understood by users not only explains how these vocabularies function during retrieval, but also points to areas for enhancement in construction and presentation on screen.

When is a forest fire a bushfire? Towards an Australian pictorial thesaurus

Deborah Stumm
Abstract This paper describes the strategies underlying a project to develop a web-based Australian pictorial thesaurus. The Council of Australian state libraries (CASL) and the NAtional Library of Australia are sponsoring the project which aims to transform the State Library of New South Wales' PICMAN Tpic Thesaurus (PTT) into the Australian Pictorial Thesaurus (APT).

Exploring Bright Sparcs: Creation of a navigable knowledge space

Joanne Evans
Abstract Since early 1996 the Australian Science Archives Project has made avaliable online Bright Sparcs, a directory of Australia's scientists, technologists and medical researchers from ther eighteenth century to the present. Bright Sparcs brings together the people of Australian science with their resources, whether primary, secondary, digital or online.

Viewing the information universe through the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules

Tom Delsey
Abstract In 1998 Tom Delsey completed a two-part study for the joint steering committee for revision of AACR analysing the logical structure of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules. The schema developed as part of that study was intended to serve as a tool to assist in the re-examination of the principles underlying the code and in setting directions for its future development.

Serials: A climate for change

Pam Dunlop
Abstract How do you catalogue ongoing publications that are not issued in successive parts? Do loose-leaf publications best fit within the definition of a monograph or serial? Can databases be catalogued as serials?

The great social experiment: Multiskilling in technical services at the University of South Australia

Jay Douglas
Abstract This paper outlines the challenges of a major restructure of the University of South Australia Library's technical services operations. It explains the strategies for meeting those challenges, and notes what was achieved and what was modified along the way.

The end of the world as we know it? Outsourcing at Brisbane City Council Library Service

Christine Mackenzie
Abstract Brisbane City Council library Services undertook a workplace redesign in the second half of last year, with full implementation from July 1999. The key elements of the design included customer service enhancements, regionalisation, and future directions.

Learning resources acquisitions and cataloguing: Managing changem change and more change

Karen Carlton
Abstract Libraries and other information organisations provide the compass and the captain to navigate through oceans of information, exploring and mapping it, blazing a path so others can follow easily to their destination. Managng the ships crew, cargo and chores inthis constantly changing technological, physical, and financial environment is a complex and challenging ongoing task.

Creating a dangerous workforce

Annette McNicol
Abstract In 1996, the techincal services section at Griffith University undertook an ambitious re-engineering project. the results were impressive, but we were aware that without a significant shift in culture, ther results could be short-lived.

Defying current wisdom: Insourcing reptrospective conversion at the State Library of New South Wales

Cheryl Grant
Abstract This paper examines recent approaches to retrospective conversion at the State Library of New South Wales. The paper will focus on the Dixson Cataloguing Project, and why we chose to insource when common practice is to outsource such projects.

Voyager at Monash

Chew Chiat Naun
Abstract In February 1999 Monash University Library went live with Endeavour's Voyager system. Monash was the first Australian university library to acquire this new generation system, which now numbers among its many customers the Library of Congress.

A shared academic/public library bibliographic database: Its use and abuse

Delys Shiers
Abstract This paper briefly discusses some of the issues addressed as cataloguers at Murdoch University Library implemented and used a shared academic and public library database. These included setting parameters for the initial bibliographic and item data loads, ongoing data loads for circulating public library stock, managing OPAC views of the shared database for differing client groups, plus record ownership and some internal workflow issues.

Whose information universe? Customer services and cataloguing

Rosemary Dearman
Abstract Using the example of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and the analogy of star mapping, this paper contends that cataloguing needs to be revisited and reassessed, in the light of the changing information universe. There are more questions than answers in this paper, which looks at the inadequacy of our tools to deal with our customer's rapidly changing needs.

Future systems - brave new world?

Margaret Kennedy
Abstract Over the last two decades a revolution has taken place which irrevocably changes the way we work as cataloguers. The rapid growth of online library systems and the resultant evolution of cataloguing and access standards and technologies to exploit the online environment have placed us on the threshold of a 'brave new world'.

Hens or chooks? Internationalisation or a distinctive Australian bibliographic organisation practice?

Ross Harvey
Abstract Announcements that Kinetica will not accomodate Australian subject descriptors to the same extent as ABN have again raised the question of differences between Australian and international bibliographic organisation practices. Do we want Australian practice to remain distinctive?