The Impending Demise of the Local OPAC

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2 The Impending Demise of the Local OPAC Z C38 S55x 2007 Silvis, Gregg A., The Impending Demise of the Local OPAC / Gregg A. Silvis. Newark, Del.: University of Delaware Library, c PowerPoint slides. I. Title Eng DLM 12/13/56 DLMMdc

3 The Original Cataloging Problem: A Very Brief Retrospective Library staff used to perform original cataloging on everything from scratch. Library staff used to individually type catalog cards. (And, yes, before that write them by hand). Locally, library staff had to file thousands upon thousands of catalog cards on a regular basis. There was a tremendous duplication of effort.

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5 The Copy Cataloging Solution Library staff progressed to using tools such as the National Union Catalog to identify suitable copy. Library staff also ordered d sets of catalog cards from the Library of Congress, and then customized them based on local practice. Library staff still had to file thousands upon thousands of catalog cards on a regular basis. There was still a great duplication of effort.

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8 Behold the Bibliographic Utility! Concept of shared electronic database OCLC database of non-intuitively searchable MARC records, e.g., 4,4 (author/title) or 3,2,2,1 (title words) or 4,3,1 (author) Duplication of intellectual effort was greatly reduced. But those catalog cards still had to be ordered, shipped, received and filed.

9 The Advent of the Local Library System Retrospective conversion projects to create the local bibliographic databases. No longer any need to order, ship, receive and file catalog cards. But those electronic records now had to be ordered, shipped, received, indexed and maintained on the local library system

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11 The End Result: In replacing printed catalog cards with In replacing printed catalog cards with electronic catalog records, libraries have perpetuated the redundancies of effort that were present in the old physical environment.

12 Why did this come about? When integrated library systems were first being implemented in the late 1980 s, networks were in their infancy and there was no WorldWide Web. The current infrastructure was by necessity premised on and designed for the local loading of bibliographic records and receipt of physical items. Would we design the same system today?

13 Points of Duplication of Effort Loading of records Indexing of records Authority control User interface design and support ILS software upgrades Web browser support Ongoing system maintenance Operating systems upgrades Back up of data Library staff resources

14 The Very Basic Components of the Local Integrated Library System Acquisitions/Serials Cataloging OPAC Circulation/Course Reserves

15 Consider this: Why not perform all cataloging on OCLC, forego the local loading of bibliographic records, and use worldcat.org as the OPAC? Presumes real-time links to local systems for the acquisitions and circulation functions.

16 WorldCat as OPAC Model WorldCat OPAC WorldCat Cataloging Local Acquisitions/Serials Local Circulation/ Course Reserves

17 From the user s perspective, what are the basic functions of the local l OPAC? Does my library have the thing (assuming it s not a journal article) that I want? Does my library have other things I may want but I don t know about? Where is it? Is it checked out? When is it due back? Do I have it checked out?

18 worldcat.orgorg The skeletal framework for providing these The skeletal framework for providing these functions already exists worldcat.org.

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28 Some of the Issues That Need To Be Considered: Item-specific information Special collections materials Location-specific electronic resources Incomplete holdings information, both bibliographic and serial Locally enhanced records, e.g., TOC s Scalability Reliability Network Pricing Loss of control Monopoly, particularly with the RLG coming together

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35 Advantages of an OCLC OPAC: Minimal duplication of effort Single point of record maintenance Incorporation of new functionalities like FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records), reviews, interfaces, etc.

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41 Advantages of an OCLC OPAC: Minimal duplication of effort Single point of record maintenance Incorporation of new functionalities like FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records), reviews, interfaces, etc. Facilitated resource sharing Opportunity ty to better allocate library resources Reinvestment in the library cooperative

42 Possible ways to complete the picture: Layer an acquisitions module directly on top of the local institution-wide i i id accounting system (University i of Alberta Library) Use the local institution-wide Student Information System/Human Resources system as the patron database in conjunction with a local inventory control system Public libraries could use a CRM instead of a just a circulation module University of Washington Library is already in discussions with OCLC about using WorldCat as their OPAC Use WorldCat for maintenance of physical resources and rely on vendors for maintenance of electronic resources

43 Discussion?