I had a really tough time last weekend due to food poisoning, so unfortunately, I couldn’t participate in Monday’s schedule. However, luckily, I recovered quickly and was able to join from Tuesday’s schedule. This week was filled with interesting sessions, including a visit to OCLC in Ohio, and it was indeed very informative and enjoyable.
1. Acquisition and Cataloguing Services (M.J HAN)
This session was presented by Myung-Ja Han, the Head of Acquisitions and Cataloging Services at the University of Illinois. Acquisition and Cataloguing are considered the backbone of the library and are crucial tasks often referred to as the library’s “flower.” Library metadata has evolved over time, from card catalogs to MARC and now to BIBFRAME, following the trends of the era.
Linked Data is an important aspect of library data. If libraries move beyond the traditional practice of collecting, storing, and distributing data within their own silos, and instead connect with external resources like Google, Bing, and Wikipedia, they can create greater value for user services.
The University of Illinois Library has undertaken two Linked Data projects: 1. Digitized Special Collection (Motley Collection of Theatre & Costume Design Portraits of Actors, 1720-1920)and 2. Emblematica Online. In these two projects, the process involved refining the data related to each collection, creating ontologies, and mapping them with external metadata sets such as Schema.org, aiming to provide users with richer linked resources.
Through this project, it was evident that integrating external web resources through linkage enriches the contextual information of library resources and enhances the user experience. It also highlighted the importance of authority work and data quality improvement.
To ensure that library data can be effectively utilized, the importance of Linked Data through processes like data refinement and authority work becomes evident. In order to develop useful user services in the future, it is necessary to consider how we can leverage external resources and how they can be utilized by our library.
2. OCLC
We had the opportunity to visit OCLC and learn about the latest libary’s research trends and services.
At OCLC, a survey was conducted among global library leaders on the changes in libraries after the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the concept of the ‘New Model Library.’ The survey yielded three key findings.
1. Work Experiences
- Train for the future
- Focus on staff’s well-being
- Embrace work flexibility
- Challenge traditional divisions of labor
2. Collections experiences
- Acquire digital and open content strategically
- Create new connections to physical collections
- Prioritize resources that close the digital divide
3. Engagement experiences
- Partner with a purpose
- Lead with a hybrid approach
- Invite engagement in physical spaces
3. Ohio State University Libraries & Westerville Public Library
Ohio State University Libraries created a welcoming atmosphere for library users, with features like multilingual welcoming signs and a ‘Family Space’ where users can enjoy time with their kids. The grand transparent bookshelves also caught my attention and inspired me to take pictures. Furthermore, the special collections exhibited on the first floor left a lasting impression on me.
As for the Westerville Public Library, I was impressed by their innovative services, such as ‘Drive-Thru’ lending and returns, the ‘Homework Help Center’, and borrowing artwork, seeds and guitars, and providing ‘Learning Kits’ to children.