Transcript Technical Services Librarianship at Kent State University: Retooling, Reskilling, RDA Roman S.

Technical Services Librarianship at Kent State
University: Retooling, Reskilling, RDA
Roman S. Panchyshyn
Catalog Librarian, Assistant
Professor
Kent State University Libraries
ALCTS RPLTS IG, January 26,
2013
Seattle WA
Introduction
• Goal is to examine the evolution of the
professional librarian positions at Kent
State University Libraries Technical
Services
• Focus on
– Change and managing change
– Retooling and reskilling
– Attitudes
Changes and Challenges
• Change is constant—ALWAYS be proactive
to change
• What is changing for TS librarians?
Everything
– Budgets
– Types of resources
– Staffing
– Standards
– Workflows
Opportunity with Change
• Change affords opportunity for TS
librarians
• Library Dean, in collaboration with HR, is
currently implementing a succession
planning program to identify critical and
non-critical tasks (constant reorganization)
• Do a SWOT analysis of yourself and
department to identify areas of opportunity
Opportunities Found Here
• Shift in emphasis in cataloging and
acquisitions from print to electronic
• Demand driven acquisitions (DDA) plans
• Implementation of new cataloging standard
(RDA)
• Emphasis on project management vs.
routine workflows
• Teaching and education (mentoring)
KSUL TS Response
• Address shift to electronic resources
(managed change)
– Hired Electronic Resources Librarian with
knowledge of licensing
– Reduced bindery staff and reassigned resources
to serials and electronic resources
– Developed training, workflows and updated
procedures for staff
Impact of Electronic Resources and DDA
• Greatly increased the need for systems (IT)
work and batch processing in TS
• Provided opportunity for librarians to bring
new skill sets (IT skills) into TS (from
systems)
– Batch processing and MARC record
manipulation
– Load table training
– Use of coding languages and scripts
Further Benefits
• Expertise now puts us “at the table” when
negotiations for electronic resource
packages take place
• Increases TS department visibility within
the Library because we proactively
“advertise” what we do to the library
community
DDA: Another Successful Example
• DDA Pilot Test: TS Librarians played active
role in:
– Developing MARC record quality specifications
(acquisitions and bibliographic data) with
vendor (YBP)
– Developing workflow processes for timely batch
processing of data
– Developing staff training programs and
procedures
RDA: More Opportunity Knocks
• Transition to the RDA standard offers TS
librarians the opportunity to become
leaders and educators
• Make a decision that you want to be at the
forefront of this change, at the head of the
curve
KSU TS Librarians and RDA
• In 2010 we participated informally in the
national RDA field test
• In 2011 we organized RDA training workshops
for staff by format, an internal reskilling
process
• In 2012, workflows and procedures established
for copy cataloging (LC & PCC guidelines)
• In 2013, working toward NACO independence
and will transition all original cataloging to
RDA by March 31
RDA Benefits of Early Adoption
• Increased visibility and recognition locally
and nationally
– Consortial (OhioLINK) leadership role
• Well trained and prepared staff available to
work in RDA
• Ample opportunities for teaching, research
and publication
Project Management
• Emphasis now on electronic resource
management, more work shifting from dayto day operations to project management
• Many of these projects involve issues with
library physical space and new services
Recent and Upcoming KSUL Projects
• Collaborative creation and maintenance of
state-wide depository system (OHDEP)
• Library mergers (College of Podiatric
Medicine)
• Collection shifting (offsite) and weeding (print
journals)
• Batch reclamation for OCLC holdings
• Consortial ETD project
• System migration (preparation for Sierra)
Project Management Opportunities
• Professional librarians
– Develop skills in project management
leadership and documentation
– Allows you more leeway to train and manage
staff and students in positions that best fit their
skills
– Develop relationships with other areas of
library and external vendors/customers
– Again provides more opportunities for teaching,
research and publication
Research Publication Example
• How we prepare and document every batch
cataloging project at KSUL
Panchyshyn, R. S. (2013). Asking the Right
Questions: An E-Resource Checklist for
Documenting Cataloging Decisions for Batch
Cataloging Projects. Technical Services Quarterly,
30(1), 15-37
Teaching and Education
• Research and publication opportunities
have already been discussed
• Professional TS librarians at KSU must
have the ability to continuously mentor and
train
– Permanent staff
– Large pool of student workers (KSU librarians
here have published articles on this topic)
• We are responsible to establish and define
levels of competency and quality
More Opportunities
• There are also other regional and consortial
opportunities for TS librarians. Examples
are:
– Delivering RDA training for staff from other
institutions, both public and academic
– Increased chance of serving on local, regional,
or consortial organizations or committees that
impact our profession (and our future)
• Obstacles do exist
Define Success in TS
• What factors define a successful professional librarian
in Technical Services at KSUL?
– Number 1 is SERVICE for our users
– Ability to identify and exploit opportunities
provided by change (such as obtaining Tier 1
cataloging status in OhioLINK with the addition of
MeSH)
– Ability to articulate (communicate) our goals and
results clearly
– Willingly share knowledge and expertise with our
profession
TS Librarian Impact
• Always define and promote the value of the
work of TS staff and department
• Be proactive in all decisions that involve TS
department and staff. Insure that TS staff is
constantly challenged regarding training
and reskilling
• Look to constantly improve skill sets, and
bring skill sets in from elsewhere to TS
Questions?
Contact Information
Roman S. Panchyshyn,
Catalog Librarian, Assistant Professor
Kent State University
330-672-1699
[email protected]