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Engineering_Distributed_Objects_-_Wol_f_g_a_n_g_E_m_m_e_r_i_c_h.pdf (4522KB)

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OC to study distribution of bibliographic
data<http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2009/01/loc-to-study-distribution-of.html>
*
Library of Congress Announces Study of Bibliographic Record
Publication<http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2009/09-011.html>,
press release, January 23, 2009. (Thanks to
ResourceShelf<http://www.resourceshelf.com/2009/01/23/library-of-congress-announces-study-of-bibliographic-record-publication/>
.)

The Library of Congress today announced the next phase of its investigation
into the creation and distribution of bibliographic data in U.S. and
Canadian libraries. The Library has commissioned a study to research and
describe the current marketplace for cataloging records in the MARC format,
with primary focus on the economics of current practices, including existing
incentives and barriers to both contribution and availability. The study
will be carried out by R2 Consulting LLC of Contoocook, N.H.

The Library has recognized that its role as a producer of bibliographic data
is changing and that other libraries have options as they consider sources
for cataloging records. The conclusions outlined in a report issued last
year, "On the Record: Report of the Library of Congress Working Group on the
Future of Bibliographic Control," indicate that cataloging activity must be
shared more broadly and equitably among all libraries. Before the Library
considers any changes to its cataloging commitments or priorities, however,
it is vital to understand the extent to which other libraries rely on its
contributions. The study will examine cataloging production and practice
across all library types, including cooperative activity through OCLC, the
Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC), the National Library of Medicine,
the National Agricultural Library, library consortia, and other shared
cataloging initiatives.

Under the general direction of Deanna Marcum, Associate Librarian for
Library Services at the Library of Congress, R2 will develop a description
of the current economic model and will determine the extent of library
participation in and reliance on existing structures and organizations. The
study will show the degree to which sources other than the Library of
Congress are supplying quality records in economically sufficient
quantities, or whether most libraries use records created by the Library.
This project is oriented toward fact-finding and reporting rather than
solutions, and it is intended to produce a snapshot of the existing market.
The project is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2009, with a written
report and visual representation of the existing marketplace. Progress
reports, along with various other data collection and communication tools,
will be made available via the R2 <http://www.r2consulting.org/> Web site
and theBibliographic Control Working
Group<http://www.loc.gov/bibliographic-future/> site
...