The Catalog’s Future Karen Calhoun Helsinki, Finland September 5, 2006

The Catalog = The First Self- Service Information Tool

The Way We Worked Books Journals Newspapers Gov docs Maps Scores AV Dissertations Special collections Manuscripts Papers Univ records Journal articles Conference proceedings Etc. Library catalogs Archives Abstracting & Indexing services

September 2006Calhoun4 Libraries Today Starting points:  Technology-driven research, teaching and learning  User self-sufficiency (decrease in guided access to content)  Global “infosphere”  Accelerating shift in information seekers’ preferences for Web-based information and multimedia formats

September 2006Calhoun5 A New Kind of Information Seeker Even more self-sufficient  “Most respondents indicated they have not sought help (64 percent) when using library resources”—OCLC report on perceptions of libraries, 2005 On Web  Popular search engine traffic in November 2005: 5.15 BILLION searches (& Google out front) Expect seamless linking & instant gratification

September 2006Calhoun6 A New Kind of Library Build a vision of a new kind of library Examine assumptions Be more involved with research and learning materials and systems Move to next generation systems and services Make library collections and librarians more visible An online social network

LC Action Item 6.4: “Support research and development on the changing nature of the catalog to include consideration of a framework for its integration with other discovery tools.” Calhoun, Karen. The Changing Nature of the Catalog and Its Integration with Other Discovery Tools. Washington, DC: Library of Congress, 17 March Changing Nature of the Catalog and Its Integration with Other Discoveryhttp://

September 2006Calhoun8 Objectives Examine the issues broadly (in major research libraries) Describe current situation Assess obstacles and feasibility Create a vision and (actionable) blueprint for change Produce a report to elicit dialogue, collaboration, and movement

September 2006Calhoun9 Methodology Interdisciplinary literature review Structured interviews  23 noted library and information science professionals A business perspective  Product life cycle  Competitive strategy

September 2006Calhoun10 Some “vigorous” comments “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride”—All About Eve

September 2006Calhoun11 The Decline of the Catalog Users taking the bypass  89% of college students say they begin with search engines vs 2% with library Web pages One piece of a fragmented library information landscape (and hard to use!)  Principle of Least Effort  Metasearch in trouble Cataloging tradition unsustainable  “Just how much do we need to continue to spend on carefully constructed catalogs?”—Deanna Marcum, LC Associate Librarian

From Dempsey, Lorcan et al “Metadata switch.” In E-Scholarship: A LITA Guide (Chicago: LITA).

September 2006Calhoun13 Affordability and Scalability Expense of cataloging Rapid growth of Web resources and digital assets Need more than descriptive metadata Interoperability issues Competition for Resources to Develop New Library Services Shrinking tech services departments Streamlining tech services workflows Increasing use of external sources of data; automated cataloging methods Changes in Information- Seeking Behavior Preference for online information Reliance on simple keyword search Decline of subject searching Expectation of seamless linking Challenges Facing Cataloging

September 2006Calhoun14 Availability of Catalog Librarians LIS grads not choosing cataloging Graying of the library profession (demographics) Significance of the Catalog Catalog is one part of a much larger infosphere Many new types of scholarly information objects not covered by catalog Future of Individual Library Catalogs Less emphasis on one catalog per library Shift toward multiple catalogs appearing as one catalog; shared catalogs; catalogs interwoven into the Web (Open WorldCat, RedLightGreen) Challenges Facing Cataloging, Continued

But … Don’t Cry for Me Argentina!

September 2006Calhoun16 The Continuing Importance of the Catalog Books and serials are not dead, and they are not yet digital ARL libraries spent the lion’s share of $665 million on books and serials in 2004 The legacy of the world’s library collections is tied to the future of catalogs

September 2006Calhoun17 What To Do About It Revitalize: 1.Develop new uses for catalog data 2.Find new users for the existing product 3.Find new uses and new users

Existing New USERS USES Existing users, Existing uses Existing users, New uses New users, Existing uses New users, New uses Examples: -Programs for freshmen -“Push” to course Web pages Examples: -Mass digitization -Large scale integration with other systems -Universal access Examples: -Minor enhancement to existing catalogs Examples: -E-journal discovery -Subject pathfinders -Export to bibliographic management software

Innovations and Cost Reductions Much better linkages: ingest, convert, extract, transfer Interoperate Simplify & exploit all sources of catalog data Eliminate custom practices Automate and streamline workflows Explore automatic classification, subject analysis; reengineer and automate LCSH practice Mine catalog data for new uses; experiment with FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records)

EXTEND EXPAND LEAD Improve the user’s experience Greatly enhance delivery (fast!) Standards development/compliance Recycle and reuse catalog data Innovate and reduce costs Invest in shared catalogs Link pools of scholarly data Seek partners Mass collections & catalogs Digitize Open access Participate in the substitute industry “Thirty-two Options & Three Strategies”— A Radical Abridgement

NC State University’s Endeca-Powered Catalog

CalCat

Cover, TOCs, Reviews

September 2006Calhoun24 Stones (Boulders) In the Road Many are not ready for change of the magnitude required Progress toward interoperability is slow Copyright law has not caught up with the digital world Precedents for large-scale collaboration are few There may not be enough money

September 2006Calhoun25 Vision for Change The service model for the catalog will be financially sustainable The catalog will evolve toward full integration with other discovery tools Shared catalogs and open information systems will radically democratize access to library collections and boost scholarly productivity to new levels

September 2006Calhoun26 Thank You! Karen Calhoun, Cornell University Library