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AbstractThe practice of information technology (IT) in academic libraries is changing rapidly, not only with new and evolving developments in the technologies themselves but also with the organization and management of IT at both the library and institution levels. This study presents the results of an online survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic library members to identify the biggest challenges they perceive in the area of information technology organization and management. This article compares their responses with challenges reported in earlier studies to identify new and changing trends as well as ongoing challenges that remain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid pace of change and the high cost invested in information technology, it is important for academic libraries to evaluate the information technology solutions they use in their institutions to determine whether they are meeting the needs of their students, faculty, staff, and other users of their libraries and resources. This study presents the results of an online survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic library members to benchmark the assessment strategies that they used to evaluate their IT activities. This article compares their responses with earlier studies to identify trends and make recommendations for effective assessment practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the results of an online survey that benchmarked the organization of information technology (IT) functions in academic library members of the Association of Research Libraries. The survey investigated whether responsibility for 14 key areas resided in the libraries or in an institution-level information technology department, whether responsibilities have shifted over the past 20 years, satisfaction with services provided, assessment methods used to evaluate information technology services, and top challenges facing library IT. This paper considers the survey results addressing where the responsibility lies, satisfaction with the support, and whether and when the responsibility changed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the experience of the University at Albany (UAlbany) Libraries' migration to a centralized University data center. Following an introduction to the environment at UAlbany, the authors discuss the advantages of data center consolidation. Lessons learned from the project include the need to participate in the planning process, review migration schedules carefully, clarify costs of centralization, agree on a service level agreement, communicate plans to customers, and leverage economies of scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paige G. Andrew discusses his career in map cataloging and his work in cooperative cataloging programs and standards development. Topics covered include map cataloging, cooperative cataloging, scholarship and publishing in the field of map and geography librarianship, service to the profession, implementation of RDA, map cataloging workshops, and mentoring. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including quality of cataloging services, metadata quality, and librarians' perceptions of controlled vocabularies.

Academic libraries regularly conduct assessment of library services through the use of rubrics or assessment tools such as LibQUAL (www.libqual.org/home). Technical services activities are frequently assessed; however, the assessment is typically limited to the evaluation of specific processes. This study was designed to explore assessment activities in Pennsylvania's academic libraries. The author designed a survey to investigate whether technical services activities are assessed, how they are assessed, who is responsible for assessment, how the results of assessment activities are shared with others, and how those results are used to improve services or for other purposes. Sixty-three libraries responded to the survey (a 53 percent response rate). Survey results show that 90 percent of academic libraries in Pennsylvania have conducted some form of assessment of technical services activities but that most of that assessment is quantitative in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the special issue of "Cataloging and Classification Quarterly" focusing on the topic of collaboration in cataloging is presented and which includes information on improving authority files, creating solutions to share catalog expertise, and managing online catalogs.

Research libraries are using batchloading to provide access to many resources that they would otherwise be unable to catalog given the staff and other resources available. To explore how such libraries are managing their batchloading activities, the authors conducted a survey of the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services Directors of Large Research Libraries Interest Group member libraries. The survey addressed staffing, budgets, scope, workflow, management, quality standards, information technology support, collaborative efforts, and assessment of batchloading activities. The authors provide an analysis of the survey results along with suggestions for process improvements and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batchloading bibliographic records into the catalog, as a rapid and cost-effective means of providing access to electronic and microform collections, has become in recent years a significant workflow for many libraries. Thanks to batchloading, previously hidden collections, some costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, are made visible, and library holdings are more accurately reflected by the online catalog. Subject specialists report significant increases in the use of electronic resources and microforms within days (and sometimes only hours) of loading record sets into the online catalog. Managing batchloading projects requires collaboration across many library units, including collection development, acquisitions, cataloging, systems, and public services. The authors believe that their experiences will be instructive to other libraries and that Penn State's processes will assist them in making their own batchloading policies and procedures more efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the results of a survey that addressed the experiences of newly-graduated cataloging librarians. Focusing on qualitative rather than quantitative data, the survey gathered information about their position responsibilities, what new catalogers liked and disliked about their jobs, the need for on-the-job training, whether they felt prepared to take on their responsibilities, whether they had any preconceptions about what a cataloging job would be like, and whether their experiences confirmed those preconceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1999 The Pennsylvania State University Libraries established a task force to examine monographic cataloging workflow and processes. The Monographs Task Force used both written and telephone surveys to establish benchmarks for comparison with similar institutions. The Task Force also requested input from staff in Cataloging, Acquisitions and Public Services and queried online discussion lists for feedback about similar reorganizations. The Task Force made recommendations concerning staffing, workflow, and staff training designed to increase efficiency and reduce handoffs. The implementation of initial recommendations have shown positive results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one by Mechael D. Charbonneau on the involvement of Indiana University Libraries in the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC), one by Regina Romano Reynolds on the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) Network and one by Joan Schuitema on changes in cooperative cataloging.