Technical Services Librarianship at Kent State University Retooling
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 (Ohio. LINK) 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 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 Ohio. LINK with the addition of Me. SH) – 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 rpanchys@kent. edu
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