Catalog of Change: Partnering with Subject Librarians to Improve ILS Discovery
Abstract
The cataloging environment in libraries has undergone extensive changes in recent years, including wider acceptance of alternative metadata standards, automation tools, and enhanced ILS features. This sea change in metadata services presents librarians with an opportunity to collaborate with the cataloging team and share their suggestions for record enhancements. While metadata standards should continue to provide structure to our discovery systems, improved cataloging tools now make it easier to integrate new ideas than ever before. At North Dakota State University, the cataloging team has undergone a two year experiment to give subject librarians the opportunity to share their recommendations through an online “Metadata Request” form. Throughout this process, we have discovered new methods of approaching requests, either by revisiting local policy or by using modern tools such as MarcEdit. This breakout session provided an overview of the Metadata Request and Consultation Process, referencing tools such as Google Forms, MarcEdit, and OpenRefine. Presented at the Lake Superior Libraries Symposium held in Duluth, MN on June 7, 2019.