Interest Group Week
Interest Group Week happens the first full week of March each year. It consists of 30 discussions and programs over 5 days, all free and open to everyone. Each session lasts one hour. Each year's schedule is posted the first week in February, and registration links are added as information is submitted by the individual interest groups. Recordings will be posted the second week in March.
View our full list of interest groups to join year-round discussions and activities.
Core Code of Conduct
Please review the Online Code of Conduct before registering for any IG Week sessions.
March 2025 Program Schedule
All times are listed in Central Time. Sessions are one hour.
Monday, March 3
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10:00am = PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Come learn about the Project Management Interest Group. Find out about the activities we do and how to enhance your own project management skills. Stay for the presentation “Not Just a Numbers Game: A Process for Prioritizing Digital Collections Projects,” by Jennifer Roper, Christina Dean and Kara McClurken from the University of Virginia. This presentation will recount the process and principles regarding digital collection building at an academic library. Finally, there will be a time for Q&A at the end of the session if you’re interested in learning more about the IG or have questions for the presenters.
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11:00am = METADATA
Title: Why Would I Use OpenRefine?
Have you heard colleagues talk about “cleaning data” with OpenRefine, but were shy about asking how it’s done? Do you work with large datasets or metadata in spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets? OpenRefine is a free, user-friendly tool designed to streamline data cleanup and transformation. In this session, you’ll learn how OpenRefine can help you efficiently resolve inconsistencies in data, reconcile access points with external vocabularies like LCSH, VIAF, and AAT, and enhance your MARC records with URIs. Join us to learn how OpenRefine can simplify your work and improve data quality. -
12:00pm = BOOK AND PAPER
Please join the Core Book & Paper Interest Group on Monday, March 3 at 12 p.m. CST. Amy Crist, Head of Conservation at the University of Michigan Library, will present on “Enclosures 101,” including topics such as decision making, types of enclosures, and purchasing considerations and specifications. This session is open to all and will be especially useful to people at institutions that are not already doing a lot of boxing and housing projects and/or can only do minimal in-house (or no) box construction.
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1:00pm = LIBRARY LEADERS AND MANAGERS
We often celebrate our leadership successes, but what about our leadership failures? We will be featuring leaders who will present lightning talks sharing their fails with our supportive community. Join us for a fun and engaging discussion dedicated to this often overlooked topic during this collaborative session.
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2:00pm = PROMOTING PRESERVATION
Title: Memory Labs: Empowering Patrons to Preserve their History
Creating a memory lab can provide your patrons with a DIY digitization space to preserve and share their treasures. Learn from three presenters who will discuss their experiences planning, implementing, and supporting memory labs in different library settings. Chloe McCormick will share how she’s expanding Richmond Public Library’s memory lab through a five-year Mellon Foundation grant. Stacey Erdman will outline her plans for the Wildcat Memory Lab Project at University of Arizona Libraries, a project supported by Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records and IMLS funds. Guadalupe Martinez of California Revealed will describe her work assisting memory labs across the state. Time will be reserved at the end for attendees to ask questions.
Co-Hosted by the Digital Preservation Interest Group and Promoting Preservation Interest Group
Presenters:
Chloe McCormick, Senior Special Collections Librarian, Richmond Public Library
Stacey Erdman, Associate Librarian/Digital Preservation Unit Lead, University of Arizona
Guadalupe Martinez, Outreach Coordinator, California Revealed -
3:00pm = NEW MEMBERS
We often hear of the value of networking, and joining professional organizations such as Core is a great first step. How does one go about networking, however? Join the discussion to share your networking tips and pick up a few new skills why you’re at it.
Tuesday, March 4
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10:00am = ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
Vendor agreements can be difficult to navigate. Questions can linger like is the deal fair? What do all the terms mean? Are there concerns not yet addressed? Library graduate programs do not always include much in-depth information about licensing and negotiations, so librarians often have to learn on the job. Attend this program to learn more about licensing, negotiation tactics, cost control, legal and ethical considerations, and to learn from others. We have invited two experts, Katharine Macy from Indiana University Indianapolis and Michael Rodrigues from Lyrasis, to share their knowledge on the complexities of licensing and negotiations coming from an academic library and library consortia perspective. After the presentations, there will be an opportunity for open discussion and questions.
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11:00am = CREATIVE IDEAS IN TECHNICAL SERVICES
CITSIG presentations share practical ideas and experiences from different vantage points within technical services. Our session will include two presentations in succession as follows:
Title: AI In Our Library: Some Serious Reflections and a Few Curiosities
Presenters: Evan Rusch (Gov Docs, Maps, Reference & Instruction Library), Nat Gustafson-Sundell (Collection Librarian), Minnesota State University, MankatoAt Minnesota State University, Mankato, we’ve undertaken several experiments and initiatives focused on Generative AI. We provided several examples at the Generative AI in Libraries (GAIL) conference and Northern Ohio Technical Services Librarians (NOTSL) Fall General Meeting. We’ll present a revised and expanded overview of our initiatives for the Creativity in Technical Services Interest Group (CITSIG). We will briefly review how we’ve tested Gen AI to improve data visualization for collections outreach and to support licensing. We’ll provide an overview of limitations on how library-licensed resources can be used with AI, including a foray into retrieval augmented generative AI tools such as the Primo Research Assistant and Consensus, with implications for discovery. We’ll highlight the value of creative interactions with ChatBots as a means to explore new possibilities for library services and educators. Finally, we’ll mention some new initiatives, mostly relating to data analysis or data services, in various states of progress.
Title: Efficiencies in Periodical Acquisition: Harvard Library’s Implementation of EBSCO’s JETS Service
Presenters: Todd Moody (Senior Functional Coordinator for Continuing Resources), Harvard LibraryThis presentation shares the process of implementing EBSCO’s Journal Expediting Service (JETS) pilot projects for Harvard. We will go over why we wanted to try this service out, the process of getting JETS set up, things that went smoothly and things that did not, how we evaluated the implementation process, how things are going now, and lessons we have learned so far.
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12:00pm = CATALOGING AND CLASSIFICATION RESEARCH
The Core Cataloging and Classification Research Interest Group is proud to present the following session for its 2025 Core Interest Group Week meeting:
Presentation 1: The Ethics Evolution: Catalogers' Perspectives Over Time (20 min)
From Karen Snow, Professor, School of Information Studies, Dominican University, and Elizabeth Shoemaker, Head, Bibliographic Services, Victoria University Libraries, University of TorontoAbstract: In recent years, the cataloging community has increasingly focused on how to make cataloging work more ethical and inclusive, contributing to EDIA initiatives in libraries. In addition, the Cataloguing Code of Ethics, released in 2021, provides an important framework for thinking about cataloging work using an ethical lens. Yet, we still have much to learn about how catalogers think about cataloging ethics and what types of ethical issues catalogers face in their work.
Attendees of this session will learn the results of a study first conducted in 2019, and again in 2024, that reveals a broad range of perceptions about cataloging ethics, as well as what catalogers state are the major ethical issues they face in their work. The longitudinal nature of the study allows us to better understand the evolution of cataloger perceptions of ethical issues over time – what issues remain, what has changed, and why exploring the practical application of cataloging ethics matters.
Presentation 2: Exploring Systemic Gender Bias in Library of Congress Subject Headings: A Comprehensive Study (20 min)
From Sungmin Park, Resource Description Librarian, Rutgers University Libraries, and Yuji Tosaka, Cataloging/Metadata Librarian at The College of New JerseyAbstract: The problem of bias, prejudice, and marginalization has been no hidden secret in library knowledge organization systems. Many critics have long criticized how these gender categories are represented in LCSH, pointing to a litany of LCSH terms that have no comparable headings assigned to men. This misrepresentation implicitly normalizes the male-as-default bias in resource description, relegating female classes of persons to a special, non-dominant category. The purpose of this study is a comprehensive evaluation on gendered LCSH demographic terms. Focusing on LCSH demographic terms containing “women,” “female,” “men,” and “male,” this study analyzed systemic bias in how headings for classes of persons are represented (or not represented) in terms of gender within LCSH thesaurus. OpenRefine and The Library of Congress Linked Data Service for LCSH were used to extract LCSH demographic gendered headings. In order to analyze the results based on the characteristics of terms, each heading was categorized into one or two of the 13 categories that were adapted from the LCDGT categories. The results will answer the four following research questions: 1) How many gendered headings are currently found in LCSH representing classes of persons overall?; 2) How many gendered headings are currently found in various LCSH categories?; 3) How many unpaired gendered headings are currently found in various LCSH categories?; 4) What discernible patterns and underlying assumptions may be identified, if any, through analysis of the findings?
Combined 15 minute Q&A
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1:00pm = ROLE OF THE PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIAN IN TECHNICAL SERVICES
"We're All in This Together: Professional Librarians and Collaboration"
Collaboration is a critical piece of professional librarianship in technical services, just as it is in other library departments. In these three sessions, "3 C’s of Teamwork: Retrospective Cataloging of U.S. Government Publications," "Partners for Progress: Advancing Accessibility and Compliance Through Collaboration and Vendor Engagement," and "Advocating for More with More: Responsive Staffing Levels in Special Collections and Archives at the Denver Public Library," collaboration among faculty, staff, and vendors will be highlighted in academic, public, and special collections libraries.
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2:00pm = FACETED SUBJECT ACCESS
Title: Automating Retrospective Population of MARC 386: A Feasibility Study
Presenter: Lucas Mak, Head, Metadata Strategies and Technologies, Michigan State University LibrariesThe introduction of MARC 386 field allows catalogers to record creator’s/contributor’s characteristics in bibliographic records to provide access through demographic data points. Given it’s a relatively underutilized MARC field, legacy records generally do not have this piece of information in them. Even if libraries are committed to using MARC 386 in all current cataloging, its absence in legacy records could skew the search results and give a wrong representation of the coverage of a library collection. How to add MARC 386 into legacy records efficiently is the crux of the issue. This presentation will talk about the results of an experiment leveraging the Library of Congress Name Authority File and Wikidata to populate the MARC 386 field in legacy records. After giving an overview of the mechanism of this automated process, the presenter will evaluate the process based on both quantitative and qualitative data and discuss limitations and potential improvements.
Title: Faceted Subject Vocabularies Increase Representation of Marginalized Communities in Biomedical Research
Presenter: Mego Franks, Atrium Health Wake Forest BaptistThe words a community uses to describe itself are important, especially when that community is marginalized, such as the LGBTQ+ community. In biomedical research, the standard MeSH controlled vocabulary provided by the premier biomedical database PubMed contains 45 terms relevant to LGBTQ+ identities. In comparison, the community-built controlled vocabulary Homosaurus contains 1,263. Now that MeSH can operate as a faceted subject vocabulary, the percentage of Homosaurus terms covered by MeSH jumps from 4% to 36%. The inclusion of more sexual and gender minority identities in biomedical research contributes to the battle against health inequity. My presentation will cover why this representation is important specifically in the context of biomedical research, how I conducted my comparison of vocabularies, and where to go from here as over half of the identities represented in the Homosaurus are still not represented in the MeSH vocabulary.
Title: Use of Faceted Vocabularies as Subjects in Metadata at UNT
Presenter: Hannah Tarver, Department Head, Libraries Digital Projects, University of North TexasThe Digital Collections hosted by the University of North Texas Libraries include over 3 million digital objects from a wide range of provenances and resource types. Metadata records are described by editors from various departments of the Libraries and across multiple partner institutions, generally averaging 80-90 unique editors per month. All items are described using a locally-qualified Dublin Core schema (UNTL), which requires at least two subject values per record. This can include a combination of keywords and controlled terms from several vocabularies using a qualifier to label the “type” of subject for each value. These types include a local subject hierarchy, the University of North Texas Browse Subjects (UNTL-BS), to support browse-by-subject functionality, as well as a number of externally-controlled terms from AAT, LCGFT, LCMPT, and others. For vocabularies that expose terms as linked open data and that contain no more than 20,000 terms, we have also introduced searchable interfaces and validation in our metadata web forms to aid editors with adding authorized values. Although helpful, it has also created additional challenges, such as editors using terms from searchable vocabularies that may not be appropriate to an item or collection. This presentation will discuss our local approach to the use of multiple vocabularies simultaneously, the tools that we have implemented to validate those terms, and the benefits and challenges of subject assignment in a large digital library.
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3:00pm = ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING IN LIBRARIES
Come join the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML) Interest Group for a roundtable discussion about how AI & ML has been talked about or approached at your institution. The interest group's co-chairs will help guide the discussion and provide attendees with resources about AI/ML broadly, and within the context of libraries and other cultural memory institutions.
Wednesday, March 5
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10:00am = CATALOG MANAGEMENT
Session Title: “Cataloging, Catalog Management & Sharing Metadata with the Community in an era of Consortia, Linked Data and Machine Learning “
Session Description: More than ever, we are in the time of transitions and a shared metadata environment with other institutions, consortia and various communities. Thus, when we catalog or do catalog management, we do try to contribute to greater good. Now our shared metadata environments are more deeply implicated in the broader information ecosystem: resource sharing, analytics, web via linked data, publisher/vendors’ indexes … AND as AI/ML learning data. In this session, we will hear some of our colleagues’ efforts on the latest initiatives or contributions.
Title #1: Using & Contributing to the Alma Community Zone
Presenter: Elizabeth York, Electronic Resources Librarian, Rutgers University LibrariesSummary: One of the central features of Ex Libris Alma is the Alma Community Zone (CZ), the e-resources repository shared by all Alma Libraries. This presentation will discuss how Alma community members can contribute to the CZ, how Ex Libris is working to improve the quality of CZ records through improvements such as the AI metadata generator, and how librarians who use Alma and the CZ can guide their development through Ex Libris feedback channels, such as the Idea Exchange and the annual CERV (formerly NERS) enhancements process.
Title #2: OCLC Catalog Maintenance Efforts Using Machine Learning and Human Resources
Presenters: Cynthia Whitacre & Laura Ramsey, both Senior Metadata Operations Managers at OCLCSummary: WorldCat is an extremely large bibliographic database; multiple approaches are used to do database maintenance. This talk will focus on the project to add links for WorldCat entities as a preparation for linked data, correcting patterns of incorrect data using human resources combined with automated tools, and the machine learning project to merge more duplicate records.
Title #3: From Discovery to Delivery: The ReShare Shared Index
Presenter: Sebastian Hammer, CEO, Index Data & Allen Jones, Director of Digital Libraries & Technical Services, The New School
Summary: ReShare is a consortial borrowing platform focused on lending to library print and electronic materials within a single consortium. Recently, the community has begun asking questions about how to share requests between groups. How do you solve the problem of sending requests from one network to another when each network may not share bibliographic identifiers? This talk will focus on the challenges of inter-consortium or inter-vendor lending and the metadata challenges ahead for the access services and interlibrary lending communities. We will outline a community-based approach to build solutions for the ReShare community. -
11:00am = (NO SESSION)
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12:00pm = PUBLISHER-VENDOR-LIBRARY RELATIONS
Join us for an informal discussion about AI (pros and cons) from the publisher, vendor, and librarian perspectives.
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1:00pm = MIDDLE MANAGERS
Session was not recorded
Want to connect with other library middle managers and discuss the dilemmas we've all been facing? Join us to discuss retention issues, employee morale, training, organizational changes, new uncertainties, etc. Whether you need advice or have lots of experience as a middle manager, we invite you to attend this session. Please note that this meeting will not be recorded to encourage authentic information sharing and discussion.
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2:00pm = LIBRARY STORAGE
High-Density Storage not only provide libraries with enhanced storage and access capabilities, but they also provide unique and daunting challenges during an emergency situation. How to recover wet materials from 30 feet up with limited power? How to maintain bibliographic control over thousands of items needing freeze drying? Please join us as speakers from Cornell and the University of Pittsburgh share their experiences with high density disasters.
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3:00pm = BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONCEPTUAL MODELS
Join the Bibliographic Conceptual Models Interest Group for a presentation on use of a Reference Ontology (RO) to address semantic misalignments between the BIBFRAME and RDA/LRM ontologies. Use of a reference ontology for semantic mediation is distinct from creation of a metadata application profile and from transformative techniques such as metadata crosswalks. The presentation will feature reference-ontology use cases for data from the Library of Congress and National Library of Spain.
Presenter Helena Patrício is a Research Assistant at the Information Sciences, Technologies and Architecture Research Centre (ISTAR-Iscte) of the University Institute of Lisbon, and works as librarian at the Information and Documentation Center of the Portuguese Film Archive and Museum. She was Director of Special Collections Services at the National Library of Portugal from 2012 to 2024, during which time she was responsible for the National Digital Library. She holds a master’s degree in Information Studies and Digital Libraries, and is currently a PhD student with research interests in the semantic web and linked open data.
Thursday, March 6
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10:00am = CATALOG & DISCOVERY SYSTEMS
The Catalog and Discovery Systems Interest Group brings you two presentations on improving discoverability:
Title: Challenges to Cataloging with Japanese Romanization: History, Literature and Data Analysis
Presenter: Kumiko Reichert, Indiana UniversityThis presentation will include a review and examination of the past literature and research on Hepburn romanization in library metadata as well as the history of Japanese romanization and the ALA-LC Japanese Romanization Table, and will focus on the analysis of local data extracted from the Indiana University Libraries’ database. Future research will shed light on the best approach to Japanese romanization for libraries, in order to improve discoverability.
Title: Piloting BIBFRAME Discovery Features with the BIBFRAMinator Browser Plugin
Presenter: Jim Hahn, University of PennsylvaniaThis talk will focus on a pilot project, “The BIBFRAMinator” browser plugin (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/bibframinator/), which explores how BIBFRAME can help supplement traditional library catalog functionality by implementing linked data discovery services in a modular fashion. This extension improves the user experience by enriching search results and catalog detail pages with visual and informational enhancements. By integrating these features, BIBFRAMinator connects users to a broader network of information.
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11:00am = TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGERS IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
Session was not recorded
Join us for two presentations on dealing with changes.
Title: Navigating Rapid Changes: Lessons from a Sudden Adoption of a New Purchasing Workflow
Presenter: Greg Ferguson, Head of Resource Management, New York University LibrariesIn January 2022, NYU's central acquisitions department migrated its purchasing workflows to the campus procurement platform from a legacy homegrown process that exported payment data directly from the ILS to AP. This change has brought major benefits to the university and its main library. It has also presented challenges for the acquisitions department, including a migration project on a tight timeline, new training needs, and additional ongoing work in a second system apart from the ILS. This presentation will focus on the techniques the department used to navigate the migration project and the long period of adapting to the system after going live. Lessons learned from this migration will hopefully be applicable to managers at other institutions facing similarly sudden changes of their own.
Title: Microdosing Change: Laying the Groundwork for Larger Transformations
Presenter: Michel Christian, University Archivist, South Dakota State UniversityBig changes can be daunting, but small, strategic shifts build trust and momentum over time. This talk examines how Kaizen and Lean strategies can introduce and sustain continuous improvement in archives and libraries, making larger transformations easier to implement. Drawing from real-life anecdotes, it delves into how incremental, low-risk adjustments can normalize change, reduce resistance, and create a culture where adaptation feels natural rather than disruptive.
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12:00pm = CONSORTIUM MANAGEMENT
Title: Only Up from Here: Library Consortia as Advocates
This session will convene forward-thinking leaders from library consortia to illuminate how consortia leverage their collective influence to drive significant changes through strategic advocacy. Panelists will share compelling examples of advocacy efforts: negotiating with vendors, engaging legislators, and mobilizing their members around shared priorities.
The discussion will address the diverse priorities and identities of member institutions, highlighting how consortia navigate these complexities to achieve common goals. Leaders will share their approaches to balancing varied interests while working within capacity constraints. By showcasing a range of advocacy initiatives, this panel will emphasize the transformative potential of consortia in amplifying the collective voices of libraries.
Attendees will gain insights into how consortia can champion their members' needs, foster deeper collaborations, and work at scale to drive meaningful community-wide change.
Speakers include:
* Charlie Barlow, Executive Director, Boston Library Consortium (BLC)
* Rebel Cummings-Sauls, Director of Digital Services and Open Education Resources, Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) Library Services
* Ellen Paul, Executive Director, Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC)
* Christy Urquieta Cortes, Strategist for Content & Scholarly Communication, Lyrasis -
1:00pm = CATALOGING NORMS
Presentation 1: Cataloging for Accessibility: An Inclusive Approach to Yiddish-language Collection Description
Michelle Sigiel, Yiddish Book Center, Metadata LibrarianThe Yiddish Book Center houses a collection of approximately one million volumes of Yiddish-language books. Of these volumes, more than eleven thousand have been cataloged, digitized, and made available on our website along with over one thousand oral histories, and other collections such as archival recordings and newspapers. Recently, our institution embarked on initiatives surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion including the formation of an accessibility working group. As a solo cataloger, I joined this group with the eager intention of improving accessibility to our collections in an effort to foster inclusion and equity for users. One of the barriers to our collections that became apparent to me throughout our discussions was the very print-focused nature of our collections. Thus, I sought to catalog and promote collections of audiobooks and recent braille format books acquired from a software engineer/Yiddish teacher who utilized our book collection to develop a Yiddish braille so that braille-using students could fully participate in class. Along with making these collections more visible, I developed guidelines for inclusive cataloging that took into consideration the unique nature of our collections and how they can be better utilized by diverse groups of users with varying needs. I hope that these endeavors can be further discussed as useful examples for rare language catalogers and generalists alike who are seeking ways to promote inclusivity and accessibility in their collections.
Presentation 2: Path to Optimal Metadata Options for Electronic Resources
Junghae Lee, University of Washington Libraries, Co-Interim Head, Cataloging & Metadata Initiatives Unit / E-Resources Metadata LibrarianThe University of Washington Libraries utilize a variety of metadata sources for e-resources, including manual cataloging, vendor-supplied records, OCLC WorldShare Collection Manager, and the Ex Libris Central KnowledgeBase (CKB). Collaboration between the Cataloging and Acquisitions Departments has been key in identifying and implementing appropriate metadata sources. This process involves evaluating multiple criteria and establishing workflows to align with the chosen sources.
This presentation will explore strategies and challenges in selecting and implementing metadata solutions for e-resources and e-resource packages. It will highlight approaches that optimize staff efficiency and enhance user experience. The presentation will also provide an overview of how the University of Washington Libraries developed and implemented its current workflows to support diverse metadata options for various e-resources. Attendees will gain practical insights into managing e-resource metadata effectively and learn how to adapt workflows to meet evolving institutional requirements.Cancelled Presentation: Open Source Cataloging: Experimenting with DC/XML in Google Sites
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2:00pm = TECHNICAL SERVICES WORKFLOW EFFICIENCY
Lessons Learned (and Still Learning) in Creating a Technical Services Department Annual Report
Presenter: Eric Willey, Head of Technical Services, Illinois State UniversityAssociate Professor Eric Willey will discuss the creation of an annual report for the Technical Services Department of Milner Library, Illinois State University. Growing out of a desire to increase awareness of Technical Services work, the first annual report was highly granular and attempted to capture the entire work of the department. A second report was much briefer, more general, and of much more use to administrators. Lessons learned and ongoing refinements will all be discussed with the goal that attendees will have a starting point to creating a similar annual report.
Improving and Increasing Assessment During a Time of Reduced Activity
Presenters: Josh Hutchinson, Director of Technical Services, University of Southern California and Minyoung Chung, Monographs and Special Projects Cataloger, University of Southern California.At the University of Southern California (USC) Libraries, we have had a difficult fiscal year—significant budgetary restrictions mean that our acquisitions and cataloging activities have been significantly limited. At the same time, we have been making more of an effort to record statistics and to share those out to the wider libraries community. Now that we’re being better about sharing, what do we talk about when there’s less to say? This presentation will address what we’ve started to do in the past year, and what we’re hoping to do this year due to the reduced Technical Services activities. It will cover some of the tools we use (include Alma and Alma Analytics) and will include discussion of two specific uses of assessment and statistics gathering: (1) benchmarking our bibliographic record quality before and after turning on OCLC record synchronization; and (2) monitoring acquisitions activity on a monthly basis using Analytics reports. Is it useful to have increased assessment with less to assess?
An Assembly Line Workflow for Backlog Reduction
Presenter: Chelsea L. Gizzi, Metadata Librarian for Audiovisual Resources, New York University Division of LibrariesOur department currently has a large backlog of physical audiovisual resources. As part of an effort to reduce processing time and make materials available more quickly, a student worker was hired, reporting to the Metadata Librarian for Audiovisual Resources and working solely on MARC corrections for existing records. This addressed the backlog of materials whose records only required minimal corrections, but it became clear that a different approach was needed for materials in need of original cataloging, some of which had been in the backlog since 2021. To address this distinct backlog and split the cataloging work between full-time staff and the student worker, we developed the so-called “assembly line workflow.”
After initial record creation and addition of some core fields, the records are saved to the online file in OCLC Connexion and passed to the student worker, who then builds out the MARC record with all remaining fields except 65x fields (this stage is further expedited by use of macros and text strings). Once the librarian completes subject analysis, the process returns to the student worker a final time to produce the record & update holdings, export the record to Alma, and update work order statuses as needed. Because it allows for both streamlining and quality control, I anticipate that due to this workflow the backlog reduction will soon be noticeable for original records as well.
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3:00pm = MARC FORMATS TRANSITION
The ALA Core MARC Formats Transition Interest Group is pleased to announce its program for the 2025 ALA Core IG Week. Our session will take place online on March 6, 2025, from 3:00-4:00 pm (CST)/4:00-5:00pm (EST)/1:00-2:00pm (PST).
This session will explore participants’ experiences with the transition of MARC format to a linked data environment. We are excited to feature four outstanding presentations that explore strategies for transitioning MARC to linked data, practical implementations in library systems, the evolving MARC-BIBFRAME landscape, and approaches to teaching linked data in LIS education.
Theme: Transforming MARC for a Linked Data Age
Title: Revolutionizing Library Data: Transforming MARC for the Linked Data Era
Presenter: Adina Marciano, Manager, Metadata Product Management, Ex libris, Part of ClarivateIn the evolving landscape of library data management, transitioning from MARC metadata formats to linked data is crucial for enhancing discoverability and interoperability. This presentation will explore strategies for transitioning library workflows from MARC to linked data, focusing on recent developments and enhancements in Alma and Primo that facilitate this transformation.
We will discuss practical approaches to re-engineering library workflows, to ensure a smooth transition to linked data. By leveraging Alma and Primo’s advanced capabilities, libraries can enhance the discoverability of their collections, making them more accessible and interconnected. The presentation will cover key tools and technologies that support this transition, including new configurations and integrations with external linked data sources.
Libraries are provided with tools that support the creation of high-quality metadata, enhancing discoverability and interoperability of collections. We will demonstrate current capabilities and outline future steps each library can take in this journey.
Title: Modern MARC: MARC for a Linked Data Environment
Presenters: Kevin Ford and Jodi Williamschen, Network Development and MARC Standards Office, Library of CongressIn January, the Library of Congress announced “Modern MARC,” a summary of new input conventions and expanded use of MARC changes that enable the modeling of linked data. This presentation will share examples of Modern MARC records, illustrating the changes made to align with linked data, along with a discussion of the dual MARC and BIBFRAME environment at the Library of Congress.
Title: Navigating the Hybrid Data Environment: Leveraging Linked Data in a MARC-based World
Presenter: Anne Washington, MLIS – Product Analyst, OCLCFor decades, libraries have researched and explored linked data, learning valuable lessons along the way. Now, with advancements in data, infrastructure, and tools, it’s time to move from exploration to action.
While any replacement of MARC-based cataloging with linked data services will take time and careful evaluation, libraries of every size, type, location, and funding level can begin implementing linked data strategies today using data and tools already available.
Linked data for libraries requires a stable infrastructure that enables integration and interoperability at scale, allowing each library to proceed at their own pace, based on their needs and resources.
This program introduces linked data fundamentals that will help you use linked data to expand the reach of your library. You’ll learn how:
- Publishing existing library information as linked data immediately supports better description and discovery of library resources across the web.
- Enriching MARC records with linked data URIs establishes a bridge between MARC data and linked data, connecting data across local systems and workflows.
- Enhancing existing cataloging applications with linked data functionality empowers metadata experts to add valuable linked data elements to existing records and workflows.
- Creating consistent and highly reliable BIBFRAME data allows libraries to work seamlessly between MARC and linked data.
- Leveraging new tools allows metadata experts to break up information locked in MARC records and create new connections across the wider knowledge ecosystem.
- Developing the ability for search services to index linked data can lead to unexpected discovery experiences.
Title: Teaching Linked Data to the Next Generation: Approaches and Observations
Presenter: Kelsea Izor, Metadata Librarian, Samford UniversityAs libraries transition from MARC-based cataloging to a linked data environment, LIS educators play a critical role in preparing future metadata professionals. This presentation examines my approach to teaching linked data to LIS students at the University of Alabama in the synchronous online course "Linked Data." I will discuss my methods for teaching linked data concepts, guiding students in constructing linked datasets, and contextualizing MARC’s evolving role.
Additionally, I will discuss key challenges I have observed that students face in understanding linked data, primarily technical and practical barriers and uncertainty about real-world application. I will share instructional strategies, hands-on assignments, and practical exercises that bridge traditional MARC cataloging with linked data frameworks. Further, I will highlight how students perceive the shift from MARC to linked data, helping us better understand how to approach linked data education.
This session invites discussion on how LIS programs can evolve to equip students with the necessary skills for working in an increasingly linked data-based information ecosystem.
Attendees will gain insights into teaching approaches as well as broader implications for LIS education and professional training.
ALA Core MARC Formats Transition Interest Group
Sai Deng (sai.deng@ucf.edu)
Lihong Zhu (lzhu2@wsu.edu)
Friday, March 7
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9:00am = LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SECTION
Session was not recorded
Leadership & Management (L&M): Find Your Leadership Path
The L&M Section introduced new committees and interest groups following its 2024 survey of member needs. Learn how the revamped Section supports new and interested members pursue leadership roles and offers opportunities for individuals at all levels—from beginners to those crafting leadership competencies. See yourself in a new light. Join the discussion to explore how you can take steps toward leadership and envision yourself in a new role. Join the L&M Section on Friday, March 7 at 10am EST / 9am CT.
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10:00am = LIBRARY FACILITIES & INTERIORS
Session was not recorded
Join us for the Library Facilities & Interiors Interest Group session on Friday, March 7th at 10 am CT. This is your chance to engage in an open discussion focused on the physical spaces of libraries. Whether you're navigating the challenges of accessibility, improving security, selecting furniture, integrating technology, or planning your next renovation, this session is designed for library leaders to connect, share experiences, and explore new ideas together.
Bring your questions, share your successes, and learn from peers facing similar challenges. This is an opportunity to find fresh solutions and gather insights from fellow library professionals—don’t miss out —come ready to share, learn and be inspired!
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11:00am = (no session)
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12:00pm = COMPETENCIES AND EDUCATION FOR A CAREER IN CATALOGING
Title: Gaining Time, Gaining Knowledge: Reflective Judgment on AI and Cataloging Education
Presenter: Shawne Miksa, Professor, Dept. of IS, University of North TexasDescription: ALA’s Core division (formerly ALCTS) has rewritten the core competencies for cataloging and metadata professionals three times—2007, 2017, 2023—at increasingly shorter intervals. This list of skills and knowledge grows with each revision. The 2023 gives 50 sub-competencies, and a further 28 third-level competencies and the appendix lists six (6) data content standards, seven (7) data structure standards, eleven (11) data value encoding schemes, and four (4) data exchange standards as “illustrative examples.” In addition, in the section “knowledge practices in the cataloging and metadata profession” it emphasizes incorporating “competencies relating to artificial intelligence and large language models.” Number of competencies aside, the issue of acquiring knowledge and skills in AI and LLM in terms of IKO education is critical.
We face many hurdles but the two most crucial are time, or lack thereof, and lack of knowledge. The use of AI and LLM is still very new and how they may be incorporated is still largely unknown and yet the pressure to adopt generative AI steadily rises. At the same time, many IKO educators lack of knowledge of these new technologies—we are not computer scientists. For example, at the University of North Texas we don’t yet have courses on this topic in our IKO concentration for our MS in Library Science (LS) or Information Science (IS).
The situation is fluid and calls for a good deal of reflective judgment. There is “potential” of these new technologies, but we have no established practices. We have time limitations in terms of how much can be taught in a 15-week or 10-week semester and with mostly elective coursework. How much of it is acquired on the job and/or through continuing education (CE) and, knowing that how does it affect the IKO workforce in terms of having a competitive edge in the marketplace?
Title: Fostering Future Catalogers: Providing Experiential Learning Opportunities Through Remote Internships
Presenter: Yoko Ferguson, Cataloging & Metadata Librarian, University of the District of ColumbiaDescription: While hands-on experience is crucial for cataloging and technical services jobs even at entry level positions, it is challenging for library schools to provide courses to gain such levels of experience in the classroom. Having the skills as well as the access to cataloging tools that often have paywalls, cataloging librarians are positioned in a perfect place to offer experiential learning opportunities to library school students. In this presentation, a mid-career metadata librarian discusses how she crafted remote cataloging projects that enabled students to gain hands-on experience with major cataloging systems and tools. The presentation will share best practices for remote internships including project design, recruitment/selection, experiential learning, mentorship/supervision, assessment/evaluation, and lessons learned. While it takes time and planning to establish a remote internship program from scratch, it can be beneficial not only to the students but also to the librarians. It provides a rewarding professional development opportunity where librarians can mentor and collaborate with the future catalogers while contributing to the field at large.
Title: Beyond Rules and Tools: Imagining a Design Approach to Metadata Management Training
Presenter: Rebecca B. French, Head of Metadata Analysis & Operations, James Madison UniversityDescription: Professional development offerings for cataloging and metadata practitioners primarily focus on "rules and tools" - the standards, guidelines, and software applications commonly used in the field. These areas of knowledge are important and foundational, but professionals also need competence in synthesizing this information to solve metadata problems. In this presentation, I will explore design epistemology as a way of understanding metadata management. I will apply design concepts and methods to reimagine metadata training and provide suggestions for on-the-job training approaches that support the development of these harder-to-teach skills.
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1:00pm = LIBRARY CONSULTING
Join Us for a Panel Discussion on Library Consulting!
Are you curious about the world of library consulting? Whether you're considering a consulting career or want to learn how to work effectively with consultants, this panel discussion is for you!
Join experienced library consultants as they share their journeys, challenges, and successes in the field. Topics will include:
- How they became library consultants
- Best practices for working with consultants
- Strategies for finding clients
- Insights and advice for those considering consultingThis is a great opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, ask questions, and connect with professionals in the field. Don't miss out!
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2:00pm = MAKER TECHNOLOGY
Join the Core Maker Technology Interest Group for a National Forum Listening Session to help shape and advance library makerspaces! You’re invited to collaboratively envision and plan the future of library makerspaces across the nation. During this interactive session, participants will actively engage in exploring four key areas: Values, Vision, Priorities, and Resources. Discussions will focus on the following prompts:
- Values: What are our core values?
- Vision: What does success look like for your makerspace—or for library makerspaces in general? What is the broader future we want to create?
- Priorities: What should we focus on over the next five to ten years?
- Resources: What crucial resources or opportunities are needed to achieve these goals?
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, in partnership with the Champaign-Urbana Community Fab Lab at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Information Sciences Informatics Program, the University of Illinois Chicago College of Education, Library Makers, Nation of Makers, and the ALA Core Maker Technology Interest Group. Learn more about the National Forum at https://publish.illinois.edu/librarymakerspaces/
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3:00pm = PRESERVATION ADMINISTRATORS (PAIG)
Please join Nina Rao and Simon O'Riordan of Emory Libraries in Atlanta, Georgia for this interesting presentation of their work with Whisper open source software and how they have been investigating its use in creating captioning for audiovisual material, making Emory Libraries special collections more accessible.
