The Subject Librarian's Role in Building Digital Collections: Where Information Management and Subject Expertise Meet Ruth Vondracek Oregon State University Online NW 2003 February 28, 2003

Outline Context & Definitions The Cast of Characters Digital Collection Life Cycle Subject Librarian Role

Context Focus on academic environment Non-commercial digital libraries Using examples from OSU Braceros in Oregon Linus Pauling collections

Subject Librarian = Library Subject Specialist Knowledgeable about a specific discipline from a library perspective Generally, not always, in a public service role Wears many hats: reference, instruction, collection development, cataloging Acts as liaison to subject experts, such as: faculty, researchers, other professionals AKA: Collection Development Librarian, Subject Bibliographer, Reference Librarian, Information Consultant, Subject Cataloger, Archivist

Information Management “This interdisciplinary field draws on and combines skills and resources from librarianship and information science, information technology, records management, archives and general management. Its focus is information as a resource, independently of the physical form in which it occurs.” Leonard Will

Digital Libraries "An informal definition of a digital library is a managed collection of information, with associated services, where the information is stored in digital formats and accessible over a network. A crucial part of this definition is that the information is managed. A stream of data sent to earth from a satellite is not a library. The same data, when organized systematically, becomes a digital library collection." William Y. Arms. Digital Libraries and Electronic Publishing. MIT Press. 2000

Cast of Characters Project Managers Catalogers or metadata specialists Information Architects Software / Hardware experts Digitization staff Subject Experts Content Users

Create Select Digitize & Store Digitize & Store Organize & Describe Organize & Describe Capture Promote Build Context Build Context Design Interface Design Interface Use Digital Collection Life Cycle Collection Goals Support & Maintenance Licensing Identify

Activities Build relationships with subject experts Stay aware of current or emerging research areas Seek out information stores or knowledge bases Skills & Expertise Requires liaison and consulting skills Collaboration Subject experts: faculty, researchers, other professionals Identify (Scouting)

Select Activities Select content that meets library and organizational goals Determine ‘fit’ with other library collections  Unique, complementary, or duplicate Determine which information is useful to the selected audience Determine scope Identify formats; determine requirements to digitize

Select Activities Determine how it will be used and how would use it Verify accuracy & authority Secure licensing and copyright Skills Content development and analysis Negotiation and licensing skills Collaboration Subject experts, Information technologists, Acquisition staff

Create Select Digitize & Store Digitize & Store Organize & Describe Organize & Describe Capture Promote Build Context Build Context Design Interface Design Interface Use Digital Collection Life Cycle Collection Goals Support & Maintenance Licensing Identify

Organize & Describe Activities Identify appropriate existing controlled vocabularies and existing thesauri or Work with subject experts and catalogers/metadata specialists to create vocabularies and thesaurus Collaborate on applying metadata and cataloging standards Influencing information architecture to ensure effective retrieval Assist with description of materials

Organize & Describe Skills Understanding language of the discipline Understanding of organization of information within a particular discipline Understanding impact of information architecture on search and retrieval Collaboration Catalogers/Metadata experts; Subject specialists, Information technologists and architects

Create Select Digitize & Store Digitize & Store Organize & Describe Organize & Describe Capture Promote Build Context Build Context Design Interface Design Interface Use Digital Collection Life Cycle Collection Goals Support & Maintenance Licensing Identify

Build Context Activities Create content to support collection Solicit content from subject experts Point to other existing resources  Webliographies or Bibliographies Skills Knowledge of related resources Collaboration Subject experts

Build Context Activities Create content to support collection Solicit content from subject experts Point to other existing resources  Webliographies or Bibliographies Skills Knowledge of related resources Collaboration Subject experts

Design Interface Activities Influence interface design to support needs of end users Conduct usability testing with end users Skills Understanding of how users search for and use information Understanding of web design Collaboration Web specialists, subject experts, users

Design Interface Activities Influence interface design to support needs of end users Conduct usability testing with end users Skills Understanding of how users search for and use information Understanding of web and information design Collaboration Web specialists, subject experts, users

Create Select Digitize & Store Digitize & Store Organize & Describe Organize & Describe Capture Promote Build Context Build Context Design Interface Design Interface Use Digital Collection Life Cycle Collection Goals Support & Maintenance Licensing Identify

Promote & Disseminate Activities Promote collection on library web site, local and organization media, in relevant journals and web sites Incorporate into appropriate instruction sessions and research guides Ensure cross-linking with other related collections and sites Skills Promotion and marketing skills Collaboration Subject experts, users, other libraries and organizations

Use Activities Facilitate use of collection by end users Serve as use advocate  Anticipate issues concerning collection use  Document needed changes and updates Refer individuals to appropriate contacts Skills Reference and research skills Collaboration Subject experts, users, other libraries and organizations, technology support

Skills & Expertise Liaison and consulting skills Knowing what information is useful in which context and by whom Understanding of how information is organized in a general sense and within certain disciplines Understanding of how people search for, retrieve and use information Building context and research guides

What does it take to get there? Appropriate training Opportunities for participation Development of negotiation and communication skills Interaction with appropriate team members

The Subject Librarian's Role in Building Digital Collections: Where Information Management and Subject Expertise Meet ONW2003/subj_lib_role/ Ruth Vondracek Oregon State University Online NW 2003 February 28, 2003