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Category: Metadata and Collections

Summary, October 2021 Core e-Forum, “How Can Cataloging and Collection Development Help Create an Inclusive Library Experience?”

The October Core e-Forum brought perspectives from a wide range of libraries, including public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries. Some belong to institutions that currently have active DEI committees and initiatives. Potential benefits from library DEI efforts in cataloging and collection development include more satisfied users and increased library usage. DEI in the library may also encourage awareness in the community. In the area of cataloging, much of the discussion focused on the issue of subject headings and how libraries can include headings that are reflective of the populations they serve. The example of the Dartmouth students’ appeal to have the Library of Congress subject heading changed from “illegal aliens” was referenced several times. Possible steps to improve terminology include using local subject headings or alternate terms. Some participants noted that using local subject headings requires a time and staffing commitment for documentation and maintenance. The Homosaurus was also…Continue Reading

Show Your OA Support and Donate Today

OA Is Radical and So Are You

Core is committed to equity in librarianship and to expanding who has a voice in our community. Open access(OA) is integral to that process, which is why we publish several OA journals, including Information Technology and Libraries, Library Leadership & Management, and Library Resources & Technical Services. This year’s Open Access Week theme is “It Matters How We Open Knowledge: Building Structural Equity”. We believe that keeping professional journals open is essential to building structural equity within Core. Just because OA is freely available does not mean that it is free to produce. We need your support to continue to make our open access journals sustainably OA. This is why from October 25-October 31 we are asking for your help and seeking pledges to support Core journals. A gift of $10 or more earns you a button that shows your OA support. The beauty of open access is that it…Continue Reading

📢 Call for Nominations

The Nominating Committee is soliciting nominees for the Spring 2022 ballot for the offices of Core President-Elect, Councilor, and Director-at-Large. The Committee seeks qualified individuals with strong service and leadership records in ALA, Core, and/or the previous ALCTS, LITA, LLAMA divisions, (or equivalent library associations) who will successfully advance Core’s vision and values in close collaboration with other Board members and Core section leaders. Candidates will be expected to describe experience in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in their library communities. The President-Elect will serve a three-year term: as President-Elect, in 2022-2023, as President in 2023-2024, and as immediate Past-President in 2024-2025. The ALA/Core Councilor will serve a three-year term, 2022-2025. Three Directors-at-Large will be elected to serve three-year terms, 2022-2025. Candidates must be current Core members at the time of the election. The Nominating Committee will select at least two candidates for each open position. The last day to…Continue Reading

SAC Subcommittee on Faceted Vocabularies releases Version 1.0 of chronological best practices (046/388 fields in bib records)

a laptop screen that says metadata on it

The Core SAC Subcommittee on Faceted Vocabularies (SSFV) is pleased to share Version 1.0 of the document Best Practices for Recording Faceted Chronological Data in Bibliographic Records, now available via the ALA Institutional Repository. This revision was prompted by community feedback on Version 0.9, released for comment in 2020. There are no fundamental changes to the best practices, but there are abundant clarifications, several additional examples, and other refinements. To name a few areas with additional/enhanced language (list not comprehensive): Invoking the IFLA-LRM definition of collection aggregate for aggregate situations in these BPs, with augmentation and parallel aggregates treated as single works in these BPs Relationship of 046 to chronological subdivisions in 6xx $y  Relationship of 046 and 388 Explanatory captions added to many examples that didn’t have them Acknowledgment of $8 as an alternative to $3 for specifying content being described Brief statement on what achieving a “critical mass”…Continue Reading

New Sudden Selector’s Guide Delves into Resources for Selectors of Political Science Materials

Sudden Selector's Guide to Political Science Resources

Core Publishing has released the digital version of the latest guide in the Sudden Selector’s Guide series, the Sudden Selector’s Guide to Political Science Resources. Offering essential resources in the diverse field of political science, this guide provides selectors of political science materials with strategies, tools and resources for developing user-centered collections that are responsive to the needs of faculty and students in political science.  Culling key resources from monographs, journals, databases and primary sources like datasets and government documents, the Sudden Selector’s Guide to Political Science Resources furnishes librarians with an introduction to the field. Throughout the guide authors Emily Keller and Laura Wimberley explore the major subdisciplines, the various types of research questions being asked, and the information cycle for political scientists. In addition, readers will discover how to get involved in the professional community, acquiring the skills they need to evolve from new selector to a political science librarian. Sponsored…Continue Reading

Latest Sudden Selector’s Guide Demystifies the Field of Mathematics for Selectors

Sudden Selector’s Guide to Mathematics Resources

Core Publishing has released the digital version of the tenth guide in the Sudden Selector’s Guide series, the Sudden Selector’s Guide to Mathematics Resources. Full of resources that are critical to the field of mathematics, this guide aims to give new selectors of mathematics materials the tools and strategies necessary for compiling and establishing a robust collection that meets the needs of mathematics faculty and students. Readers will come away with an understanding of the core concepts and current trends that will enable them to be successful in their new role. Mathematics is a complex and varied discipline that can be both fascinating and intimidating. This volume demystifies the field for “sudden” mathematics selectors and provides a solid foundation for librarians engaged in math collection development, outreach and instruction. Through a comprehensive overview of the most important resources, publishers and professional organizations, readers receive the knowledge and tools to help them effectively manage collections and engage with mathematics…Continue Reading

Happy Birthday to Us = Free Recordings

happy birthday for you

Core turns one today! It’s our birthday and to celebrate we’re launching a new archive of educational recordings, all of which are free for Core members. There are already 27 webinars and conference programs available on-demand, and each month we’ll add new ones. Six months after webinars (and some conference programs) are presented live, we’ll add the recordings to this library. Some of the sessions available now Seeking Clarity during Low-Morale Experiences: Actualizing Tools for Self-Preservation – Core President’s Program with Kaetrena Davis Kendrick 2021 ALA Annual Top Technology Trends Building Virtual Team Cohesion – Tips for Managers Creating a Strategic Library Communication Plan to Convey the Library’s Value and Values How Do We Do That Again? Documenting Library Work Expand the Horizon: Challenges and Opportunities in Working with Metadata for Unusual Content Types Crisis Communication for Libraries Celebrate our first year together as a community on your schedule – check out…Continue Reading

Submit a Program Proposal for ALA Annual 2022

ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition - Washington DC - June 23-28, 2022

Proposals are due by October 1, 2021, and you don’t need to be a Core member to submit one. When completing the form, be sure to select “Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures” to have your proposal reviewed by Core. We welcome topics of interest to a wide range of library professionals in many different areas, including… Access and Equity• Advocacy in areas such as copyright, equity of access, open access, net neutrality, and privacy• Preservation Week• Equity, diversity, and inclusion, both within the division and the profession, as related to Core’s subject areas Assessment• Emphasizing the role of assessment in demonstrating the impacts of libraries or library services• Assessment tools, methods, guidelines, standards, and policies and procedures Buildings & Operations• Changing trends in organizational structures, services, staff operations, and facilities• Best practices for inclusive practices and design Leadership and Management• Developing leaders at every level• Best practices for inclusion by using…Continue Reading

Summary, July 2021 Core e-Forum, “Job Hunting and Hiring During the Pandemic”

During the July 2021 Core e-Forum “Job Hunting and Hiring During the Pandemic”, our group aimed to examine innovative practices from hiring institutions and job hunters during the unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wanted to bring to light the adaptations library job seekers have had to implement in order to successfully obtain employment as well as how hiring institutions successfully onboard candidates during this time. To begin with, we asked participants to introduce themselves and asked the questions “Have you been involved in a virtual job search during the pandemic? If you’re a job hunter, how many jobs did you interview for? If you’re a hiring manager, how many applications did you receive for the open job?” We received 22 introductory responses and there were some common themes that emerged from these answers. Job seekers reported considerable difficulty obtaining positions. Three reported sending applications to ~20 open positions.…Continue Reading

Register for a Forum Preconference!

Core Forum: Together Again, October 7-9, 2021, in Baltimore, Maryland

Preconference registration is open for Core Forum! Register for an all-day library buildings tour or an afternoon preconference offered on Thursday, October 7, in Baltimore, Maryland. We Create Inclusive Experiences! Library Buildings Tour (8am–4pm) Choose Your Own Adventure Scholarly Communication Assessment Rubrics (12–4pm) presented by Suzanna Conrad, Emily Chan, Daina Dickman and Nicole Lawson Crisis Communication/Message Dissemination for Libraries (12–4pm) presented by Gregg Dodd, Christine Feldmann and Meghan McCorkell Evidence Based Practice in Libraries (12–4pm) presented by Amanda Click, Claire Walker Wiley and Meggan Houlihan New Connections in the RDA Toolkit (12pm–4pm) presented by Stephen Hearn, Robert Maxwell and Kathy Glennan If you’ve already registered for Forum and would like to add a preconference to your existing registration, please contact us. The 2021 Forum is our inaugural conference for Core and is ALA’s first return to in-person events. It will bring together decision-makers and practitioners from the ALA division that focuses on: Access & Equity Assessment…Continue Reading