Resource descriptions and the User

Its interesting that at the heart of any system that a library or any information organisation employs is the users themselves. This was driven home in the physical library sense while on the study visit and I can also see how this marries well with the idea of metadata creation  and the physical arrangement of information resources in a library. For what is the point of using a system to describe a resource is it doesn't apply the terms, values or records those attributes that the user will utilise in searching?

http://usabilitygeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Requirements-Gathering-User-Experience-UX-Project-Cartoon.jpg

ETL 505

ETL 505

So begins ETL505 Information Resource Description. It sounds dry and difficult - I am wading through the text with its many terms and new vocabulary that I am trying to digest and wondering if I will get my head around things. Essentially though, information resource description is the metadata that one creates about an information resource that help users to find and access the resources they need to gain the knowledge they want.

I came across this image and thought that it quite aptly shows what I mean.

Metadata: http://www.kcoyle.net/img/meta_slide1.gif

Study visit summary

Lack of funding, staffing and space was a common theme as was a lack of time (along with funds) to complete tasks such as digitisation or updating catalogues and databases. The specific knowledge of the librarians as repositories of specialised knowledge including how to access information and resources (sometimes kept on disparate and very different systems within an organisation) was also evident at each library. In this way the librarians all had extensive understandings of their own collections and of their clients and users needs and habits.'

http://www.full-stop.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/amsterdam-books-bookstore-dutch-netherlands-photography-Favim.com-101302.jpeg

The visits highlighted the importance of being aware of and servicing the clients/users needs. These needs were also reflected in the different classification systems that were used (or created) in each library with many having inhouse systems or modifying DDC or LCC to allow greater depth to suit the collection

Changing technology and user habits were also a common theme particularly in terms of users wanting
and expecting quick and easy access to collections and information online – often this being more than
catalogue access but access to content as well. The need for digital asset management systems
was raised at several of the sites. There were very few, if any, systems in place that allowed all types of
collections at the one institution to be kept on one system – with some places having as many as 4 or more different databases in operation with no interoperability. Overall it was an interesting few days with each of the libraries offering different insights into library practice and the role of both libraries and librarians as a product of the organisation in which they resided.

Study visit Day 4

Sydney Institute of TAFE - Ultimo College Library

The main thing that impacted on me regarding the SIT library was the pro-activity of the staff in providing services and information across the TAFE and ensuring the library’s profile and place within the Institute was high and secure. This was reflected in the way in which the library asses its users needs and measures these against performance indicators and then adapts the spaces, practices and services to meet these needs or identified issues. The collection responds well to the diverse users needs in terms of subject content (related to courses offered) but also extends this to include opportunities to provide additional resources and materials for leisure activities, resources and spaces to ensure the library is well utilised and a central and important space within the TAFE.
The librarian gave a detailed and informative picture of the library services, users and needs along with giving insight into the bigger picture issues that impact on the library. It was inspiring to see a librarian who appears to be putting into place many of the ideas and practices covered throughout other units in the Med (TL), in particular issues pertaining to leadership, advocacy, resource provision and management, technology and flexible spaces and the way in which these related to their library.

Study visit Day 3

Caroline Simpson Library - Sydney Living Museum

The Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection in the Mint. Still from video. Image copyright HHT.

The Sydney Living Museum’s Caroline Simpson library was perhaps the best funded and staffed (in terms of ratio to institution staff numbers) of the cultural institutions visited. The $20 million Mint refurbishment provided the best space and atmosphere of any of these libraries. The collection is specific to Australian houses and gardens (and influences on) and is predominantly a reference library utilised by staff. The inclusion of 2 curators as well as library staff as part of the library raises the question of what constitutes a library and the how/why organisations group certain roles and materials together and how this differs across cultural institutions. One interesting aspect of the acquisition process is the active acquiring of missing titles in series and the notification by SLM members of potential items to acquire. It is also interesting to note that while the objects have a collection policy at this stage the library/traditional resources do not.
This was one of the few cultural institution libraries that had all their catalogue online. It provided a good contrast to the Australian Museum in the division of objects and older materials and newer references / acquisitions and how these were managed (including staff numbers and roles). It also provided a good counterpoint to the AGNSW library and the SLNSW in terms of collections/exhibition and digital future.


Society for Australian Genealogists

Geikie Grave. Image from Society for Australian Genealogists

http://www.sag.org.au/images/PRSlideShow/05-003326%20GEIKIE%20GRAVE.jpg

The SAG library has a very narrow focus and client base. The way in which the librarian has to adjust to this client base and their particular needs in terms of providing additional assistance with technology use highlighted the way the library must meet client needs in order to stay viable. The library uses its own classification scheme developed specifically for genealogical libraries which again reinforced the narrow purpose of the library but also showed how other schemes can make finding or retrieving information relevant to the information needs of the clients. As with other libraries, ongoing transfer of catalogues to a digital system is happening as is some digitisation of materials. One main point that arose from the visit was the impact of the popularisation of family history and the subsequent rise of large companies with online pay subscriptions and the impact of this on the library and the services it provides.
This was a really interesting example of a different way that the internet and digitisation can impact on libraries. In this instance the rise of online companies with large budgets has impacted on the library in profound ways in terms of not only what the collection holds and will continue to hold but also in terms of percieved value. It was also a great example of the librarian as technical leader and the need for the librarian to be across a large range of formats including microfilm and microfiche.

Study Visit Day 2

The Australian Museum

http://australianmuseum.net.au/Uploads/Images/20951/scientific%20publications%20library%20records_big.jpg

The Australian Museum library reflects the Museum's collecting areas and it is interesting how its development and growth over time has impacted on the role of the library – this is particularly so in the sense that older manuscripts and works are used as working references. The continued use of card catalogues, the inhouse designed classification system along with the need to digitise these presented interesting insights into library practice and challenges.  The extent of the rare book collection impacts on the role of the librarians who fulfill some of the preservation aspects of the collection along with regular duties. Although open to the public the libraries main focus was servicing the staff of the Museum and as such the acquisition of titles is driven by the users. Space, staffing and budget suggest that the library is under resourced for the scope of the job - a common theme in the cultural sector at the moment. I loved the stuffed bird and animal collection that made up part of the library collection 

The Art Gallery of NSW

The AGNSW library (once found) reflects the broader organisation and its goals .... namely Australian art. It was initially designed as a professional resource for staff but is now open to the public and utilised by arts students and commercial art market users (and those suffering from Museum fatigue). The visual arts focus mirrors the art collection and the nature of art has seen the library continue with print publications rather than digital. The library also functions as an archive of artist related materials including ephemera (not available to the public) which impacts on the roles of the librarians and sees the library placed in the curatorial and conservation department. Although digitising collections is desired, time and costs prevent much of this occurring. As trends in art have changed the collection of material and formats has altered requiring the library to provide different technology to access these materials and the development of a new room in which to view this material.

Study visit Day 1

My first library visit was to the State Library NSW (SLNSW) and in some ways it represents the pinnacle of libraries and of the the visits i'm to make over the next week and the only library that is a library in and of itself and not used to support the function of another organisation.

The library is impressive on many accounts, from the buildings (you can go on a virtual tour  if you haven't been there for a while) to the breadth of their collection which includes manuscripts, paintings and objects valued into the billions - with some of the best collection of early (European) Australian artifacts


Image: Life Interrupted. Exhibition at the SLNSW http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/

Two things struck me based on the talks and visit. The change in focus to children and education and the digital excellence program. The focus on children is a clever one and has been echoed by other cultural institutions who recognise the importance of securing their futures through building their next generation of visitors and users and the financial gains that can be made from the education sector through visits.

The digital excellence program including the digitising of the collection to provide greater access - much of which is shared on TROVE. One of the highlights of this is the WWI diaries displayed in the Life Interrupted exhibition. I was also interested to see they have also developed an app Curio.  


SITE 2: ABC Library

http://www.abc.net.au/tours/ultimo/

The ABC library was a great contrast to the SLNSW and an example of a library that is there to service the function of the organisation - in this case broadcast. As a result the library's main role was to provide material to TV and radio including the cataloguing of images, sound and film footage (in lots of detail). The hours of the library are long every day of the year and often the librarians have to provide materials in very short time frames (hours). It was also interesting that there were many different cataloguing systems in use which necessitated excellent staff knowledge to operate efficiently and the use of a variety of different systems. The library seemed low on staff, time and budget - which made the fact they gave up 2 hours in a very busy work environment very laudable.