2017 American Theological Library Association Annual Conference

The Library of Congress uses volunteer Name Authority-trained librarians to create cataloging records for their Electronic Cataloging in Publication (E-CIP) program. This session will describe the details, process, expectations, drawbacks and rewards of participation in the project.

Join us for a group discussion on current student engagement with library services and a vision for the future that includes patron consultations on emerging technologies such as virtual reality. Dialogue around current student engagement will begin with a summary of findings from three usability studies conducted at the Andover-Harvard Theological Library. The future of student engagement will then be considered through a pilot initiative that circulates hardware and curates content for virtual reality experiences. The session will then be opened up for audience members to share related usability and emerging technology projects in their respective libraries.

Traditionally name authority records served a backend purpose of collocating resources in a library catalog that are by or about a person, corporate body, or conference. The primary purpose for developing a name authority heading was to differentiate the entity represented by the heading from other entities with the same name. Additionally, the information in name authority records primarily served to inform catalogers about where the elements of the heading came from. However, in preparing for a linked data environment, RDA now allows a cataloger to provide much richer information in name authority records enabling the records to serve researchers and reference librarians, in addition to cataloging librarians. This session will discuss the kind of information available in name authority records, how it supports FRBR user tasks, and how reference librarians can use it to serve the researchers they support.

Participants will discuss the changes made to the NACO authority process and CONSER process this year. Any changes to the Best Practices and Thesaurus documents will be proposed and discussed. Outcomes from the CONSER/BIBCO Meeting will be presented. NACO participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the transition to a new NACO Funnel Coordinator. Prospective members are encouraged to come and consider joining.