Beyond the OPAC : future directions for Web-based catalogues
Presenters
Martha Yee
Biographical Information: Martha Yee holds a bachelor's degree from Pomona College in Claremont, California, a master's in Library Science as well as a Ph.D. from UCLA. Her area of expertise is in the broader area of audio-visual material with a specialization in moving images. Martha has held numerous positions, including chair, on various ALA committees as well as other professional bodies one of which has been Chair of MARBI. She has also published extensively in her area of specialization as well as more recently on the broader issues of catalogue displays. Martha currently holds the position of Cataloging Supervisor at the UCLA Film and Television Archive
Abstract of Presentations
Title: Beyond the OPAC : future directions for web-based catalogues
Abstract: Begins with a hypothetical user study or think piece that compares Google to a catalogue. Then discusses ways that current OPACs can be optimally configured to carry out the objectives of the catalogue. Suggests ways that indexing and display software in current OPACs needs to change in order to carry out the objectives of the catalogue. Suggests ways that current cataloguing practice and the MARC 21 format need to change in order to carry out the objectives of the catalogue.
Title: Applying FRBR to library catalogues : a review of existing FRBRization projects
Abstract: Various FRBRization projects are examined and critiqued based on proposed specifications for the ideal FRBRized catalogue.
Lloyd Sokvitne
Biographical Information: Lloyd Sokvitne is Senior Manager (Digital Strategies) at the State Library of Tasmania. While at the State Library, Lloyd has overseen the development of Tasmania Online, a comprehensive Tasmanian web indexing service; Service Tasmania Online, the unified cross-jurisdictional government services portal for Tasmania; Our Digital Island, a web site repository and preservation service; and STORS, an open digital repository for Tasmanian electronic publications. In February 2006, Lloyd was awarded the Robert D Williamson Award by VALA for his contribution to information technology development in libraries.
Abstract of Presentation
Title: OPACs and the real information marketplace : why providing a mediocre product at a high price no longer works
Abstract: Libraries have traditionally provided discovery systems that are inherently complex and that often require user training for effective use. The rise of the Internet, and more specifically search engines such as Google, has resulted in a user base that expects information discovery to be simple and easy. To adapt to these expectations, libraries are beginning to adopt search engine like interfaces, but experience at the State Library of Tasmania has demonstrated that effective discovery outcomes require a fundamental reassessment of both the underlying data and the type of software functionality used to provide discovery. A discovery model based on real user behaviour is the necessary theoretical base that is required to drive this reassessment. This paper will look at the relevant user behaviours related to discovery, the type of metadata needed to support those behaviours, and the functionality that is in turn required by the discovery interface. Examples will be drawn from the current work at the State Library of Tasmania to develop both an alternative OPAC and a new consolidated discovery portal.
Tony Boston
Biographical Information: Tony Boston is the Assistant Director-General, Resource Sharing Division at the National Library of Australia. Tony has had a technology focus since he joined the Library in 1999. He has played a major role in the development of innovative services such as PictureAustralia and MusicAustralia as well as services to provide online access to the Library’s digital collections. From 2003 to 2005, Tony managed the implementation of the search database and several other components of the Kinetica Redevelopment Project. This resulted in the new Libraries Australia service, which will allow the National Library of Australia to continue to innovate in terms of new features and in service delivery. A future direction is the opening up of the Library’s services to more general Internet users and improving the linkage between services through use of open web protocols and interfaces.
Ann Huthwaite
Biographical Information: Ann Huthwaite is the Library Resource Services Manager at the QUT Library. Ann has been a member of the Australian Committee on Cataloguing since 1992. From 1995 to 2003 she was the Australian representative on the Joint Steering Committee for Revision of AACR (JSC), and was the chair of this committee from 1999 until the end of her term in 2003.
Philip Hider
Biographical Information: Philip Hider is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University. He holds a Master of Librarianship degree from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and a PhD from City University, London. Philip worked at the British Library from 1995-1997, and in Singapore from 1997-2003. He is an ALIA representative on the Australian Committee on Cataloguing, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.
Abstract of Presentation (Joint paper) Title: The potential impact of RDA on OPAC displays
Abstract: This paper discusses ways in which the planned Resource Description & Access (RDA) code might affect OPAC displays. It highlights several differences between the current Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules and the RDA proposals which promise to offer OPAC interface designers more flexibility and new ways of displaying search results. Independence from the International Standard Bibliographic Description will accommodate different arrangements of the various bibliographic elements, as well as the possibility of new elements. The new vocabulary set to replace the existing general and specific material designations may offer more useful and consistent criteria for sorting results, while changes to rules for uniform titles are intended to provide more effective collocation of expressions and manifestations of works. Changes in OPAC displays may, however, be partly dependent on changes in exchange format standards, or on the adoption of new format standards.
Deirdre Kiorgaard
Biographical Information: Deirdre Kiorgaard works at the National Library of Australia where she is responsible for bibliographic standards and strategy, and represents the Library on a variety of standards-related groups. She is a member of the Australian Committee on Cataloguing (ACOC) and represents ACOC on the Joint Steering Committee for the Revision of AACR (JSC). In October 2005 Deirdre was elected Chair of JSC.
Abstract of Presentation
Title: Setting a new standard : Resource Description and Access
Abstract: Resource Description and Access (RDA) is a new standard for description and access, designed for the digital world. This paper will explain why simply revising AACR2 is no longer an option, and outline the timetable for development of the new standard. The key features, structure and content of RDA will be outlined. The relationship between RDA and other international standards developments will be discussed. The paper will also indicate how it will affect you as a cataloguer, library administrator, system vendor or other stakeholder.
Lisa Billingham
Biographical Information: Lisa Billingham has worked as a Librarian for 14 years, 4 years as a Systems Librarian and 10 years in industrial libraries where she was involved in all areas of library work. She has also worked in IT in the areas of customer support and training. She has managed the introduction of several Innopac/Millennium features and modules (e.g. bookings, holds), and other system changes including webOPAC redesigns. She is currently Innopac Systems Librarian at Edith Cowan University
David Wells
Biographical Information: David Wells began his library career as a cataloguer, and has worked mainly in technical services areas. He was closely involved in the configuration and design of the Aleph library system at Curtin University Library At present he is acting Resources & Access Librarian at Curtin, where one of his responsibilities is OPAC maintenance and design.
Del Shiers
Biographical Information: Del Shiers has worked in a variety of roles in academic libraries (reference, systems/IT, acquisitions and cataloguing) and is currently Manager, Collection Services at Murdoch University Library.
Shane White
Biographical Information: Shane White has worked as a cataloguer at the University of Western Australia and as systems librarian at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle and later at the WA Department of Health. He is now Coordinator, Database Standards and Quality Control, and OPAC Coordinator at the UWA Library.


