Monday, June 14, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Abilene Library Consortium: Assignment 3
For Assignment Three, I interviewed Ms. Devhra Bennett-Jones, digital archivist for the Abilene Library Consortium in Abilene, TX. The ALC is a consortium of four academic (Abilene Christian University, McMurry University, Hardin-Simmons University, and Howard Payne University) and one public (Abilene Public Library) library.
The ALC is in the process of deploying its first content management system. They have decided to utilize D-Space in conjunction with a website interface called Manakin (developed by Texas A & M). Though our recent reading has emphasized the uses of D-Space in managing institutional output, this is not the primary focus of the ALC project. Rather, they are utilizing D-Space to help preserve archival material. The general climate of west Texas is not considered "friendly" to the preservation of old papers, photos, et al. Unfortunately, none of the libraries has a climate-controlled storage facility, nor do they have the funds to construct one in the near future, and all of them are experiencing major material backlogs. It is hoped that this CMS will help them preserve the history of their unique region (i.e., "The Big Country")
Ms. Bennett-Jones said that the most difficult part of the learning curve (at least thus far) has been retraining the various library catalogers to stop thinking in terms of MARC and start thinking in terms of Dublin Core metadata. She believes this is because most the catalogers are used to looking at things on an individual level (e.g., a single book, a journal issue, etc.) rather than looking at them from a collection level as one must do in archiving (e.g., a box of papers, photographs, and video all donated by a single person). The variety of material found in archives is the primary reason that ALC decided to adopt D-Space. In Ms. Bennett-Jones' words "it is very robust and can handle all types of sources well." Additionally, the ALC was very attracted to the "dark archiving" option available through D-Space.
The ALC is in the process of deploying its first content management system. They have decided to utilize D-Space in conjunction with a website interface called Manakin (developed by Texas A & M). Though our recent reading has emphasized the uses of D-Space in managing institutional output, this is not the primary focus of the ALC project. Rather, they are utilizing D-Space to help preserve archival material. The general climate of west Texas is not considered "friendly" to the preservation of old papers, photos, et al. Unfortunately, none of the libraries has a climate-controlled storage facility, nor do they have the funds to construct one in the near future, and all of them are experiencing major material backlogs. It is hoped that this CMS will help them preserve the history of their unique region (i.e., "The Big Country")
Ms. Bennett-Jones said that the most difficult part of the learning curve (at least thus far) has been retraining the various library catalogers to stop thinking in terms of MARC and start thinking in terms of Dublin Core metadata. She believes this is because most the catalogers are used to looking at things on an individual level (e.g., a single book, a journal issue, etc.) rather than looking at them from a collection level as one must do in archiving (e.g., a box of papers, photographs, and video all donated by a single person). The variety of material found in archives is the primary reason that ALC decided to adopt D-Space. In Ms. Bennett-Jones' words "it is very robust and can handle all types of sources well." Additionally, the ALC was very attracted to the "dark archiving" option available through D-Space.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Assignment 4
Is anyone else haunted by the suspicion that they really have not grasped what things like a "metadata schema" are, or how they differ from "technical standards supported"? I don't know that I've ever felt this lost in a class in my entire academic career...just wondering if I'm the only one.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Dazed and Confused
The title pretty much sums up how I'm feeling right about now. I'm waiting to hear back from two library directors whom I've requested responses from for Assignment 3. I'm trying to figure out how to do Assignment 4. And my new Final Project partner (Celia Strickland) and I are negotiating just which option we want to go with and how we'll approach it.
This is, of course, in addition to the various and sundry work- and family-related issues that crop up for all of us. Hope ya'll are doing well. I think we can all see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel...here's hoping it's not a train;-)
This is, of course, in addition to the various and sundry work- and family-related issues that crop up for all of us. Hope ya'll are doing well. I think we can all see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel...here's hoping it's not a train;-)
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