Technical Services Librarianship at Kent State University: Retooling, Reskilling, RDA Roman S. Panchyshyn Catalog Librarian, Assistant Professor Kent State University Libraries ALCTS RPLTS IG, January 26, 2013 Seattle WA

Introduction Goal is to examine the evolution of the professional librarian positions at Kent State University Libraries Technical Services Focus on –Change and managing change –Retooling and reskilling –Attitudes

Changes and Challenges Change is constant—ALWAYS be proactive to change What is changing for TS librarians? Everything –Budgets –Types of resources –Staffing –Standards –Workflows

Opportunity with Change Change affords opportunity for TS librarians Library Dean, in collaboration with HR, is currently implementing a succession planning program to identify critical and non-critical tasks (constant reorganization) Do a SWOT analysis of yourself and department to identify areas of opportunity

Opportunities Found Here Shift in emphasis in cataloging and acquisitions from print to electronic Demand driven acquisitions (DDA) plans Implementation of new cataloging standard (RDA) Emphasis on project management vs. routine workflows Teaching and education (mentoring)

KSUL TS Response Address shift to electronic resources (managed change) –Hired Electronic Resources Librarian with knowledge of licensing –Reduced bindery staff and reassigned resources to serials and electronic resources –Developed training, workflows and updated procedures for staff

Impact of Electronic Resources and DDA Greatly increased the need for systems (IT) work and batch processing in TS Provided opportunity for librarians to bring new skill sets (IT skills) into TS (from systems) –Batch processing and MARC record manipulation –Load table training –Use of coding languages and scripts

Further Benefits Expertise now puts us “at the table” when negotiations for electronic resource packages take place Increases TS department visibility within the Library because we proactively “advertise” what we do to the library community

DDA: Another Successful Example DDA Pilot Test: TS Librarians played active role in: –Developing MARC record quality specifications (acquisitions and bibliographic data) with vendor (YBP) –Developing workflow processes for timely batch processing of data –Developing staff training programs and procedures

RDA: More Opportunity Knocks Transition to the RDA standard offers TS librarians the opportunity to become leaders and educators Make a decision that you want to be at the forefront of this change, at the head of the curve

KSU TS Librarians and RDA In 2010 we participated informally in the national RDA field test In 2011 we organized RDA training workshops for staff by format, an internal reskilling process In 2012, workflows and procedures established for copy cataloging (LC & PCC guidelines) In 2013, working toward NACO independence and will transition all original cataloging to RDA by March 31

RDA Benefits of Early Adoption Increased visibility and recognition locally and nationally –Consortial (OhioLINK) leadership role Well trained and prepared staff available to work in RDA Ample opportunities for teaching, research and publication

Project Management Emphasis now on electronic resource management, more work shifting from day- to day operations to project management Many of these projects involve issues with library physical space and new services

Recent and Upcoming KSUL Projects Collaborative creation and maintenance of state-wide depository system (OHDEP) Library mergers (College of Podiatric Medicine) Collection shifting (offsite) and weeding (print journals) Batch reclamation for OCLC holdings Consortial ETD project System migration (preparation for Sierra)

Project Management Opportunities Professional librarians –Develop skills in project management leadership and documentation –Allows you more leeway to train and manage staff and students in positions that best fit their skills –Develop relationships with other areas of library and external vendors/customers –Again provides more opportunities for teaching, research and publication

Research Publication Example How we prepare and document every batch cataloging project at KSUL Panchyshyn, R. S. (2013). Asking the Right Questions: An E-Resource Checklist for Documenting Cataloging Decisions for Batch Cataloging Projects. Technical Services Quarterly, 30(1), 15-37

Teaching and Education Research and publication opportunities have already been discussed Professional TS librarians at KSU must have the ability to continuously mentor and train –Permanent staff –Large pool of student workers (KSU librarians here have published articles on this topic) We are responsible to establish and define levels of competency and quality

More Opportunities There are also other regional and consortial opportunities for TS librarians. Examples are: –Delivering RDA training for staff from other institutions, both public and academic –Increased chance of serving on local, regional, or consortial organizations or committees that impact our profession (and our future) Obstacles do exist

Define Success in TS What factors define a successful professional librarian in Technical Services at KSUL? –Number 1 is SERVICE for our users –Ability to identify and exploit opportunities provided by change (such as obtaining Tier 1 cataloging status in OhioLINK with the addition of MeSH) –Ability to articulate (communicate) our goals and results clearly –Willingly share knowledge and expertise with our profession

TS Librarian Impact Always define and promote the value of the work of TS staff and department Be proactive in all decisions that involve TS department and staff. Insure that TS staff is constantly challenged regarding training and reskilling Look to constantly improve skill sets, and bring skill sets in from elsewhere to TS

Questions?

Contact Information Roman S. Panchyshyn, Catalog Librarian, Assistant Professor Kent State University