1. NSLA Re-imagining Libraries Strategic Plan PAM GATENBY, Project Leader Project 8 : Description and Cataloguing Libraries Australia User Forum November 2009

2. NSLA Re-Imagining Libraries Strategic Plan Plan released July 2008. A collaborative framework for “empowering people to create, discover, use and transform our collections, content and global information resources.” Three strategies – One Library; Transforming Our Culture; Accessible Content. Ten projects aimed at improving information services and access to collections

3. Project 8 – Description and Cataloguing Established late 2008; Led by the National Library (me) and sponsored by the Director General Members: state and territory libraries; national libraries of Australia and NZ Work by teleconference and wiki – one workshop held

4. RL Project 8 –Description and Cataloguing : Objectives To improve access via Trove to Australian documentary heritage materials especially unique materials (To reveal “hidden” collections) To use more productive and streamlined ways of processing and cataloguing – to speed up access and reduce costs

5. RL Project 8 – Description and Cataloguing : Some Issues It is a large and complex undertaking – timescale is long Difficult to establish size of collections and their state of control Local practices can vary considerably

6. RL Project 8 – Description and Cataloguing : Some Issues (2) Success dependent on changing entrenched practices Technology is not the whole solution Commitment of senior staff time required Standards still necessary but what should they be?

7. RL Project 8 – Description and Cataloguing : Action Plan Catalogue all Australian newspapers in Trove by June 2010 Investigate conversion of lists of data for searching via Trove Compile a web guide to streamlined ways of describing picture collections

8. RL Project 8 – Description and Cataloguing : Action Plan (2) Document data elements required in records for Trove search and delivery functionality to work Develop a “one library” approach to streamlined processing of manuscript collections

9. Questions? Project 8 : Description and Cataloguing Libraries Australia User Forum November 2009