Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of the Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) electronic book (e-book) study was to assess use, and factors affecting use, of e-books by all patron groups of an academic health sciences library serving both university and health system–affiliated patrons.

Abstract: Classification of citations into categories such as use, refutation, comparison etc. may have several relevant applications for digital libraries such as paper browsing aids, reading recommendations, qualified citation indexing, or fine-grained impact factor calculation. Most citation classification approaches described so far heavily rely on rule systems and patterns tailored to specific science domains. We focus on a less manual approach by learning domaininsensitive features from textual, physical, and syntactic aspects. Our experiments show the effectiveness of this feature set with various machine learning algorithms on datasets of different sizes. Furthermore, we build an ensemble-style selftraining classification model and get better classification performance using only few training data, which largely reduces the manual annotation work in this task.

Abstract: A method (200) of organizing a set of recognition models of known objects stored in a database (140) of an object recognition system (100) includes determining classification models for the known objects and grouping the classification models into multiple classification model groups. Each classification model group identifies a portion of the database that contains the recognition models of the known objects having classification models that are members of the classification model group. The method includes computing a representative classification model for each classification model group. Each representative classification model is derived from the classification models that are members of the classification model group. When a target object (110) is to be recognized, the representative classification models are compared to a classification model of the target object to enable selection of a subset of the recognition models of the known objects for comparison to a recognition model of the target object.

Abstract: Given only the URL of a Web page, can we identify its topic? We study this problem in detail by exploring a large number of different feature sets and algorithms on several datasets. We also show that the inherent overlap between topics and the sparsity of the information in URLs makes this a very challenging problem. Web page classification without a page’s content is desirable when the content is not available at all, when a classification is needed before obtaining the content, or when classification speed is of utmost importance. For our experiments we used five different corpora comprising a total of about 3 million (URL, classification) pairs. We evaluated several techniques for feature generation and classification algorithms. The individual binary classifiers were then combined via boosting into metabinary classifiers. We achieve typical F-measure values between 80 and 85, and a typical precision of around 86. The precision can be pushed further over 90 while maintaining a typical level of recall between 30 and 40.

Abstract: Web scale discovery services are a tool with major potential to transform the nature of library systems. These services are capable of searching quickly and seamlessly across a vast range of local and remote content and providing relevancy-ranked results in the type of intuitive interface that today s information seekers expect.This report describes in detail the content, interface, and functionality of web scale discovery services developed by four major library vendors: OCLC, Serials Solutions, Ebsco, and Ex Libris. Each of these services is evolving rapidly, indicative of their open framework design and an ongoing expansion of indexed content as additional publisher and aggregator agreements are brokered. Although many similarities among the services are apparent, this report also outlines some observed differences, though these differences are becoming hazy as each vendor adds new functions, features, and content.To help individual libraries evaluate which service will best meet the needs of the library and its community, this report provides detailed evaluation questions and concludes with a section providing additional background information on each service.

Abstract: Web scale discovery services for the library environment have the capacity to more easily connect researchers with the library's vast information repository. This includes locally held and hosted content such as physical holdings, digital collections, and local institutional repositories. Perhaps more significantly, web scale discovery also accesses a huge array of remotely hosted content often purchased or licensed by the library, such as publisher and aggregator content for tens of thousands of full-text journals, additional content from abstracting and indexing resources, and content from open access repositories. This chapter defines web scale discovery and highlights a few key concepts essential for understanding these services. For anyone who has worked a reference interview and heard a student utter, "I couldn't find an article in the library catalog," web scale discovery services hold tremendous potential. Extensive research on user expectations in the discovery arena, and the tools used by those seeking information--tools often disassociated from the library and often overlooking much of what the library holds and licenses--provide ample rationale for why web scale discovery is important for the library environment. ********** What Is Web Scale Discovery? Connecting users with the information they seek is one of the central pillars of our profession. Succinctly put, Web scale discovery can be considered as deep discovery within a vast ocean of content. The mechanics behind Web scale discovery are not necessarily new, though a commercial application of this approach within the library environment--efficiently and, it's hoped, effectively--is very new. While there are various approaches to Web scale discovery, this issue of Library Technology Reports will focus on what today appears to be the most common approach, which, at its heart, involves huge, centralized, preaggregated indexes searched by the end user. Expanded further, Web scale discovery is--or certainly holds the potential to be--the evolution that libraries have long sought for information discovery. As information professionals, we all have at least a general awareness of the evolution of discovery tools within the library context. Such tools initially were print-based, such as bound handwritten catalogs, the card catalog, and works such as Poole's Index to Periodical Literature and the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature. For the past several generations, such tools gradually transferred into the automated, electronic realm, with an obvious example the development and evolution of the online integrated library system (ILS) with a front-end catalog accessible to librarians and end users. These catalogs were initially available within the local library's physical building, often through a menu-driven, text-based interface. With the development in the 1990s of the Web's physical infrastructure and the empowerment of many to access this new environment, library vendors created HTTP Web-based online catalogs. Other evolutions included early pioneers in broad online information systems, including Dialog and LexisNexis. The 1990s ushered in growth in publisher-based electronic journal content, e-text and e-book content, abstracting and indexing databases, and full-text content aggregators looking to pull related information together within an easily accessible and searchable electronic medium. Many of these services or products were initially provided on CD-ROM or through text-based, menu-driven networked systems, which all eventually evolved into information search and delivery through a Web-based environment. During this time--we'll say the mid-1990s--many of us witnessed (as we still witness) the confusion suffered by many end users faced with the choice of myriad information systems with their myriad interfaces and specialized bodies of content. Many of us may remember, from around 1998, a new search engine developed by two Stanford graduate students. …

Abstract: Data mining is the process of extracting hidden knowledge from the large data repositories. In data mining, there are several techniques and algorithms are used for extracting the hidden information and finding the relationships between them. Classification is one of the popular techniques of data mining. Classification is a data mining technique which is used to predict group membership for the instances of data. Classification is the task of generalizes the known structure to apply to new data. Classification involves finding rules that partition the data into disjoint groups. Many classification rule algorithms are used to generate the classification rules such as ID3, CART, and uRule. In this research work, we have analyzed the performance of the three classification rule algorithms, namely C4.5, RIPPER and PART algorithms.

Abstract: First-year undergraduate students frequently encounter navigation problems in locating known items in the library. This study follows students through the library collection after they have a call number to uncover attributes of building layout that aid navigation and identify fail points. Researchers used ethnographic methodologies of interviewing, observation, and a “think-aloud protocol” to understand the first-year student’s conceptual frame in navigating library collections.

Abstract: This article describes an unsupervised approach for automatic classification of scientific literature archived in digital libraries and repositories according to a standard library classification scheme. The method is based on identifying all the references cited in the document to be classified and, using the subject classification metadata of extracted references as catalogued in existing conventional libraries, inferring the most probable class for the document itself with the help of a weighting mechanism. We have demonstrated the application of the proposed method and assessed its performance by developing a prototype software system for automatic classification of scientific documents according to the Dewey Decimal Classification scheme. A dataset of 1000 research articles, papers, and reports from a well-known scientific digital library, CiteSeer, were used to evaluate the classification performance of the system. Detailed results of this experiment are presented and discussed.

Abstract: The information world is rich of documents in different formats or applications, such as databases, digital libraries, and the Web. Text classification is used for aiding search functionality offered by search engines and information retrieval systems to deal with the large number of documents on the web. Many research papers, conducted within the field of text classification, were applied to English, Dutch, Chinese, and other languages, whereas fewer were applied to Arabic language. This paper addresses the issue of automatic classification or classification of Arabic text documents. It applies text classification to Arabic language text documents using stemming as part of the preprocessing steps. Results have showed that applying text classification without using stemming; the support vector machine SVM classifier has achieved the highest classification accuracy using the two test modes with 87.79% and 88.54%. On the other hand, stemming has negatively affected the accuracy, where the SVM accuracy using the two test modes dropped down to 84.49% and 86.35%.

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive literature review on the utilisation of intelligent agent technology in the library environment.Design/methodology/approach – Research papers since 1990 on the use of various intelligent agent technologies in libraries are divided into two main application areas: digital library (DL), including agent‐based DL projects, multi‐agent architecture for DLs, intelligent agents for distributed heterogeneous information retrieval and agent support to information search process in DLs; and services in traditional libraries, including user interface for library information systems, automatic reference services and multi‐agent architecture for library services. For each paper on the topic, its new ideas or models, referred work, analyses, experiments, findings and conclusions are addressed.Findings – The majority of the literature covers DLs and there have been fewer studies about services in traditional libraries. A variety of architecture, framewo...

Abstract: This study explores, in 3 steps, how the 3 main library classification systems, the Library of Congress Classification, the Dewey Decimal Classification, and the Universal Decimal Classification, cover human knowledge. First, we mapped the knowledge covered by the 3 systems. We used the “10 Pillars of Knowledge: Map of Human Knowledge,” which comprises 10 pillars, as an evaluative model. We mapped all the subject-based classes and subclasses that are part of the first 2 levels of the 3 hierarchical structures. Then, we zoomed into each of the 10 pillars and analyzed how the three systems cover the 10 knowledge domains. Finally, we focused on the 3 library systems. Based on the way each one of them covers the 10 knowledge domains, it is evident that they failed to adequately and systematically present contemporary human knowledge. They are unsystematic and biased, and, at the top 2 levels of the hierarchical structures, they are incomplete. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Abstract: Introduction This bibliography is meant to accompany the literature review on cataloging and classification covering 2009 and 2010, " Cresting toward the Sea Change, " that is published in the April 2012 issue of Library Resources and Technical Services (volume 56, number 2). It contains citations to English-sources are listed here than were discussed in the literature review. The citations are arranged in the same manner as the article, with entries listed under nine broad topic headings (see the list, below). All site addresses included in the citations were viewed and the links correct as of December 16, 2011. Acknowledgments The bibliography was funded in part through a Carnegie-Whitney grant awarded to Sue Ann Gardner by the Library Resources and Technical Services (LRTS) Editorial Board. Many thanks to Charles Wilt, ALCTS Executive Director, who facilitated the awarding of the grant, and to the LRTS Board for their support. Thanks are due to Anna Sophia Cotton, research assistant for the project, who gathered citations for this project from August through November 2010.

Abstract: Librarians and information specialists have been finding ways to manage electronic resources for over a decade now. However, much of this work has been an ad hoc and learn-as-you-go process. The literature on electronic resource management shows this work as being segmented into many different areas of traditional librarian roles within the library. In addition, the literature show how management of these resources has driven the development of various management tools in the market as well as serve as the greatest need in the development of next generation library systems. TERMS is an attempt to create a series of on-going and continually developing set of management best practices for electronic resource management in libraries.

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to propose the idea of developing an automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)‐based system for library search and to examine the existing literature to determine whether current technology and developed RFID‐based systems are helpful for building that. To fully understand its key points, adoptions, risks, and benefits, the fundamentals of radio frequency are to be identified and reviewed. Some applications of radio frequency identification in library systems and various industries are to be briefly discussed and four related cases reviewed.Design/methodology/approach – The paper identifies key benefits and risks of radio frequency identification through review of library literature and case studies. For this purpose, four cases are reviewed from the entire industry and then key features of those cases are matched with the requirements of the big pictures' RFID‐based system to determine the current level of the RFID‐based system development.Findings – To make library system...

Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to examine the Network Literacy Skills of Academic Librarians in the University of Nigeria, library system. This research is based on primary data. The survey design was used for this study and the area of the study was the University of Nigeria, library system which comprises the Nnamdi Azikiwe Library Nsukka; The Enugu Campus library and the Medical library both at Enugu. A structured questionnaire containing the five research questions posed for the study was used in eliciting data from the all the academic librarians that comprised the sample. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Librarians in the Nnamdi Azikiwe library system are in tune with the traditional surfing skills of sending e-mails; downloading information from the Internet, and often use the Internet on a daily and weekly basis. A vast majority use many browsers such as Google Chrome; Moxilla Firefox to surf the web even though the Internet explorer was adjudged the browser of choice by the respondents. However, a limited number can surf the 'deep' web as only few can use web 2.0 tools effectively for scholarly communication and for the effective delivery of professional duties. Library 2.0 a user-centred approach of information delivery was also explored and findings revealed that Selective Dissemination of Information(SDI) and Current Awareness (CA) methods were also used online for effective delivery of information to library patrons. Library Consultancy to the various faculties was a method commonly used as a feedback technique. Network literacy is one of the very important skills needed by librarians for the effective discharge of their duties. It is usually referred to as the 21st century core enabling skill for librarians .Knowledge of this skill will help librarians to be knowledgeable in globally recognizing and serving networked information and services. Librarians also need to be knowledgeable in different subject fields to be able to match patrons with desired information. To achieve this, librarians need to deploy the use of emerging tools such as web 2.0 and library 2.0 for effective services delivery.This paper is an original work that fills a gap in literature in a relatively under-researched area of librarianship. The paper is of value to library practitioners and researchers in Nigeria and beyond while the Library and Information Science department can use the results of this study to improve their curriculum.

Abstract: Electronic books are the focus of a great deal of attention recently. Weekly, there seems to be another popular article or news report about students' use of e-books [1] or the ways e-books will affect personal reading [2]. In the library community, we see numerous articles in professional journals about the use of print versus electronic books [3], among other related topics. A recent presentation by James Michalko of OCLC reported that publishers expect to provide between 75% and 90% of books in digital format within 5 years [4]. In our own little corner of the world, we enjoyed last fall's Medical Library Association webcast on the “ABCs” of e-books and blog posts from Michelle Kraft, AHIP, reflecting on issues relating to e-books in more depth [5]. Health sciences librarians are struggling to understand this new medium and how to integrate it into collections that are severely strained by years of tight budgets. The path of e-book development and adoption by the library community seems different than that for e-journals. The reasons are many, but that discussion is not the focus of this editorial; instead, I will concentrate on what I see as the major issues confronting health sciences librarians with regard to the purchase of e-books. For one thing, health sciences libraries are quite different from public or academic libraries. We probably will not purchase extensive collections of e-books (such as those available from NetLibrary or ebrary), although we may purchase smaller packages from our select vendors. Packages can be a useful purchasing strategy, but they are not the only way that we will acquire books; many libraries will select and purchase title by title. This may be in contrast to common strategies for purchasing e-journals. Larger health sciences libraries have found it cost effective to purchase journal packages, in that the cost of the package is usually substantially lower than the purchase price of single titles, even if some titles are seldom used. But e-books may be different. The Health Sciences Library System at the University of Pittsburgh has been purchasing e-books for more than ten years, but lately we decided to take a more evidence-based approach to e-book acquisition. First, we asked our users about their knowledge of and use of e-books (see the article by Folb et al. in the current issue [6]). At the same time, we have been attempting to develop a core electronic collection to serve our dispersed user population, many of whom work in hospitals lacking a physical library with print books. We have tried to find a good benchmark against which to measure an “ideal” collection, but after months of research and statistics gathering, we are not yet satisfied that we have found what we were seeking. Equally problematic is that no one vendor could supply what we wanted. Many vendors and publishers are bringing out Doody's collections [7–9], but none are complete, and the collections may be quite expensive. Plus, each collection includes titles that historically have not been used by patrons in our library. Some publishers are restricting their content either to their own platform or to select aggregators. In addition, many highly regarded health sciences titles are not yet available in electronic format—at this point in time. For example, our analysis of the 2009 and 2010 Essential Purchase Titles from Doody's shows that just over half of the titles are not currently available in electronic format. Elizabeth Lorbeer, AHIP, wrote in 2008: “We found that there was a large portion of [the School of Medicine] reading list that the Library was unable to purchase as eBooks. In many cases, publishers either have not digitized the content or the pricing model was just too rigid” [10]. Two years later, the situation is not much changed. So what are some of the barriers to developing a core electronic collection? The biggest barrier may be publishing models. Publishers have not yet figured out how to make profits in the move from print to electronic [11]. Some publishers do not allow libraries to purchase individual titles; they offer certain e-books only in packages that may contain titles already licensed by the library through a different package, thus forcing the library to pay twice for the same e-book. In addition, most libraries cannot afford to purchase an expensive package to gain access to one title. In the ideal world, what do health sciences librarians want (recognizing, of course, that different health sciences libraries have different needs)? Here are some suggestions for publishers and vendors: Copublish print and electronic versions of each title. Libraries order titles as soon as (or before) they are published, but by the time the electronic version is available, we have already purchased the print. We might prefer electronic but often cannot afford to buy both. In the health sciences, we need the new content as soon as it is available due to the immediacy of our users' needs. Offer the option to purchase titles either in packages or as single e-books. Some libraries may prefer options for packages that provide discounted prices on individual titles, but others may only need one e-book from one publisher/aggregator and cannot or will not purchase a package to get that single title. In a recent article, Michael Heyd, AHIP, outlines the value of the aggregator model, saying that it is “an increasingly attractive and cost-effective alternative” [12]. Offer the choice to license or subscribe to e-books or to purchase them. Our library prefers to subscribe to e-books so that we only have the most current edition available for our users. Other libraries may prefer to purchase titles because of cost savings. Both options should be available. Provide multiple options for usage: site license, single-user license, or concurrent-user license. Once again, different libraries have different needs, depending on the book, their budgets, the number of potential users, and so on. Supply usage statistics that comply with the Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources (COUNTER) standard. This is the only way we can accurately compare usage among e-books and platforms, allowing us to develop the best collections for our users. Make turnaway reports available for titles, not for an entire package of e-books, so we can purchase additional copies or seats for individual titles as needed. One vendor sends reports each time a user is turned away on a title. This allows the librarian to immediately know if an e-book is being used enough to warrant the purchase of additional copies. This should be an option from all vendors. Our users are often content to use e-books, especially if that is their only option for the content, and may even prefer them. Health sciences publishers and aggregators need to recognize that we librarians want to purchase electronic books. We understand that they need to make a reasonable profit on this new format, but we urge them to develop methods that make it possible for health sciences librarians to purchase e-books as easily and quickly as print books.

Abstract: Documents and web pages share many similarities. Thus classification methods used in documents can be applied to advanced web content, with or even without modifications. Algorithms for document and web classification are presented as an introduction. One out of many tools that can be used in method evaluation, application and modification is WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis). Testing results and conclusions strengthen the principles and bases of classification, while demonstrating the need for a new interlayer in the evaluation of classification methods.

Abstract: For the past 25 years, public library administrators have pondered their institution's relationship to the computer. Since the 1980s, the integrated library system, which is based on a server-client model, has been a ubiquitous part of the library. These systems, however, are solely for use by the library staff. There have long been computers available for patrons but for many years these only provided access to the online catalog and databases on CD-ROM. Over time more applications were added to the patron computers including integrated office suites and web browsers. Public computers for patrons with access to the Internet and loaded with various productivity applications are now available in almost all public libraries across the country. At the same time that personal computers were proliferating, in both the private and public sphere more knowledge content became available digitally. Materials that were once available only in print, including books, periodicals, and databases, can now be accessed through the Internet. It is not surprising that it has been difficult for libraries to adapt to this change. An institution that was originally established to collect print materials now has to offer access to knowledge in many different formats. This study investigates one aspect of this change. The concept of "library use" has changed with the proliferation of digital media. Libraries of all types and the various administrative boards that control their funding allocated revenue budgets solely on circulation statistics. That is, the amount of money given to the library was based on how many books were checked out in a given year. This statistic does not adequately account for the actual services that libraries provide. In 2009, the editors of Library Journal [1] sponsored research for the development of a new scale measurement for rating library services based on four indicators. This study is a confirmatory factor analysis of this scale in order to validate this new measurement model. The initial data consisted of three hundred three (N =303) from the 2008 New Jersey Public Library Statistics [2]. 23 libraries did not respond to the survey, leaving a total of two hundred eighty libraries in the data set (n=280). These data are collected every year by the New Jersey State Library and are freely available on the institution's website (www.njstatelib.org). The New Jersey State Library collects these data via an electronic survey. An additional 38 libraries were removed because their scores fell more than three standard deviations beyond the mean on any one of the variables that were tested. Eight libraries were removed because they were multivariate outliers. This resulted in a sample size of two hundred thirty-four public libraries in New Jersey (n = 234). All questions on the survey (except for identification information) required whole number (ratio level) responses from the libraries. Items regarding revenue and expenses required whole dollar amounts. Computer Readable Materials Budget refers to the total amount spent on software, electronic books, and other items that must be used on a computer. Databases Owned indicates the total number of licensed databases for which the library pays. Libraries also indicated the number of computers available for public use. The survey also included two categorical questions. One asked whether or not the library made password free Wi-Fi available to the general public. The other asked whether or not the library made JerseyClicks, a full-text search portal funded by the state, available on their website. According to the new Library Journal Index mentioned above, four indicators are used to construct the library use score: library visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet computer use. Library visits refers to the total number of people who enter the library for any purpose. Circulation indicates the total number of "check-outs" for all materials including any renewals. It does not include virtual circulation or interlibrary loan. The total number of people at all programs either sponsored or hosted by the library is indicated by program attendance. Finally, public Internet computer use refers to the number of individuals who used public accessible computer terminals in a given year. These indicators were transformed into per-capita data by dividing each reported amount by the population of the library's municipality as indicated in the 2000 Census. Each number was then transformed into a z-score. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to assess the fit between the NJPL data and proposed factor structure for the Library Use Index proposed in Library Journal. The chi-square value for the overall model fit was not significant (χ2 = .720, df = 2, p >.001) indicating that there is an adequate fit between the factor structure of the Library Use Index and the data. A "library use" score was then computed using the sum of the four standardized indicators. In accordance with the procedure given in Library Journal [3], since this preliminary score included scores with negative values (with a minimum value of -4.99), a correction factor of 5 was added to each score so that the variable Library Use Score would not include negative values. The Library Use Score for the libraries was M = 4.97, SD = 3.26 with a range of .007 to 15.981. The Library Use Score provides a single measure that can be used to compare individual public libraries with peer institutions.

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to provide an overview of the Boopsie product for creation of a mobile device application for deployment on all major mobile devices.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the experience of implementing this mobile app product at Bucks County Community College Library, including interfacing with the integrated library system and preexisting web‐based services.Findings – Implementation of this product was done with ease, a minimum of staff time and was affordable. Usage is dispersed across a variety of mobile device networks.Practical implications – Readers will understand how this product is utilized at Bucks and will see how this fits into an overall strategy of creating a sense of place for the mobile learner.Originality/value – Libraries will be able to determine whether this service will be of benefit to their users.

Abstract: Knowledge organisation and knowledge organisation systems Classification and its uses Construction of classification schemes General classification schemes Special classification schemes and classification of non-bibliographic entities Automatic book classification, reclassification and non-classificatory approaches to knowledge organisation Classification education Modern knowledge organisation systems and interoperability Text categorisation Classification: theories, research trends and personalities.

Abstract: The paper aims to determine the usefulness of e-resources to the scientists of National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, India and their skills in using various search methods and techniques to access and utilize these resources. The study further aims to investigate the level of satisfaction with the information accessed by the scientists through the available e-resources and various challenges faced by them in their field. The survey was conducted with the help of a questionnaire and personal interview. Questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 75 scientists from different fields of physical sciences available at the time of study and the response rate was 80 per cent. The responses received from the available scientists are presented in tables and figures and data is analyzed by using simple calculation of percentage method. The findings reveal that access and use of e-information is an important component of research activities for scientists, also qualitative and quantitative developed e-collections overcome conventional resources with the characteristic of fast accessibility. Title field, simple search techniques and self-taught methods are used to access the e-information. E- journals are most preferred e-resources and scientists are very highly satisfied with the retrieved e-information. Also, research indicates that as the internet is most preferred medium of access, there is a need to provide high bandwidth to overcome poor network connectivity. Also there is a constructive suggestion for developing an automated library system and increased electronic resources with improved library services.

Abstract: A new cataloging code, Resource Description and Access (RDA) was published in June 2010 and has been undergoing tests at select libraries. RDA is a departure from its predecessor, the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, second edition (AACR2), in that it was designed for the online environment, is more principles-based, and better accommodates formats other than print. Liz Miller has been following the development of RDA for a few years and has presented on the topic twice at the New Mexico Library Association Conference. I was delighted when she approached me about writing an article on RDA, one geared to the noncataloger. In this column, reference librarians will learn why RDA was developed, what differences they will see, and how RDA contributes to a new world of library information.--Editor A librarian is cataloging a DVD. She consults a cataloging code, the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, second edition (AACR2), to make decisions about the pieces of information she will include in the catalog record. AACR2 also instructs her on such points as from where on the resource she should take information (for example, should she get the title information for the DVD from the title screen or from the disc label?), when and how to abbreviate words, and how to choose and construct access points. To assign subject terms, she consults a controlled vocabulary, the Library of Congress Subject Headings. She consults yet another standard, the Library of Congress Classification, to assign a class number to collocate the DVD with other resources on the same topic. In all of these processes she uses a standard digital format, Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC), to encode the various pieces of information she has selected to include in the record. Correct MARC coding ensures the record will search and display properly in an electronic catalog. The record then becomes part of her library's Integrated Library System (ILS), Millennium. The ILS software determines how the information in the record will be searched, retrieved, and displayed in the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), where it will be seen by users of the catalog, including patrons and reference librarians. You may begin to see why some have compared cataloging to solving a puzzle. One piece of the puzzle is about to change. A new cataloging code, Resource Description and Access (RDA), has been developed to take the place of AACR2. The development of RDA is big news for catalogers, of course, but it has implications for reference librarians, too. This article is intended to give reference librarians an introduction to RDA. Readers will learn why RDA was developed, the principles upon which RDA is based, the differences between AACR2 records and RDA records, and why RDA is so important to catalogers yet also controversial. WHY ARE CATALOGING CODES IMPORTANT? In the past, each library would create its own catalog cards. This changed in the early 1900s when the Library of Congress began selling card sets (author, title, and subject) to other libraries. Every card set that a library purchased meant one less that had to be created locally, from scratch. This was an early instance of shared cataloging. (1) When MARC was developed in the 1960s, catalogers started creating records in electronic form. MARC made record sharing much easier because the information in the records could be exchanged between computers. (2) When a cataloger creates an electronic record from scratch and contributes it to a bibliographic utility such as OCLC, a cataloger from any other OCLC member library can download that record instead of creating its own original catalog record. (3) One crucial factor that made it possible for libraries to share records with each other was the wide adoption of AACR2. A uniform cataloging code meant that every cataloger using it was creating records in the same way. It meant that a catalog record created in Poughkeepsie could be used by a library in Tacoma. …

Abstract: In 2007, leaders at The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) Library made the decision to migrate to an open source integrated library system. They believed this would provide them with more control to structure and customize its functionality to serve the library's needs and serve as a long-term investment in reducing costs. This article offers a brief overview of the experiences of NYAM staff, describing challenges and lessons learned, with an emphasis on open source development and licensing.