Technical Services Section members, I hope you're looking forward to and planning on attending the MLA annual conference. This year's conference title is: SERIOUS PLAY. It begins at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 6th, at the Kahler Grand Hotel in Rochester with registration opening. Then we make our way to a continental breakfast as we prepare for the first pre-conference session. This is followed by keynote speakers, great sessions, exhibits, the silent auction, business meetings and so much more. And, we wrap up at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 8th.
TSS is sponsoring the following sessions:
Wednesday, October 6th, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
"RDA: an introduction" with Mark Ehlert
Resource Description and Access (RDA) is the new cataloging code designed to succeed AACR2. This pre-conference will use AACR2 as a point of departure to introduce attendees to the structure and content of RDA. Instruction will present an inspection of the new rules, their FRBR-inspired language, and their practical application in MARC-encoded bibliographic and authority records. Opportunities for hands-on cataloging will be offered. The session will end with a period for questions and discussion.
Wednesday, October 6th, 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
"Web-scale for libraries" with Mike Morey
Join us to learn how OCLC's new web-scale service model-similar to widely used web services like eBay, Orbitz and mint.com-will impact libraries in a positive way by expanding community and sharing at the network level, reducing costs for individual libraries and streamlining operations. Also learn about OCLC's project to move to web-based services for all library management system activities-from selection and acquisition to discovery and delivery.
Wednesday, October 6th, 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
"Cataloging and OCLC previews and reviews" with Carla Urban
Come learn about important developments in cataloging and OCLC products and services. Minitex staff will whet your appetite for Resource Description and Access (RDA,) the new cataloging code that will replace AACR2, with discussion of the RDA testing process, OCLC's work with RDA (revisions and additions to OCLC-MARC, updates to Worldcat's user interface, etc.), and previews of Minitex training opportunities.
We will also review changes in OCLC's e-content services (NetLibrary and FirstSearch databases), OCLC's Rights and Responsibilities for the OCLC Cooperative, and other hot topics. Everyone's invited! Bring your questions.
Thursday, October 7th, 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
"Test-driving Resource Description and Access: Minnesota experience"
with Bobby Bothmann, Mark Ehlert, Mary Huismann, Sara Quimby As part of the U.S. National Libraries' test of RDA, catalogers from three Minnesota libraries spent their summer using RDA to catalog items from their normal workflow. Bobby Bothmann (Minnesota State University, Mankato), Mary Huismann (University of Minnesota), and Sarah Quimby (Minnesota Historical Society) will share their experiences with preparing for, learning, and first impressions on using this new library content standard. Mark Ehlert (Minitex, BATS) will discuss training staff to use RDA and highlight upcoming training opportunities from Minitex.
Thursday, October 7th, 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
"ECRL, PALS, and Evergreen: rules of play for a successful OS ILS migration" with Andrew Nordin and Jennifer Turner
What do play and open-source ILS migrations have in common? Quite a lot, actually! To be successful, both require all participants to have adventurous spirits, enthusiasm for the task, communication skills, and a shared willingness to work as a team. At this session, Jennifer Turner (PALS) and Andy Nordin (ECRL) will describe their experiences in implementing Minnesota's first large-scale open-source ILS system
(Evergreen) for the East Central Regional Library System. Come hear first-hand accounts of how the "rules of play" translate to the ingredients for a successful open-source migration and implementation.
Thursday, October 7th, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
TSS business meeting
The MLA annual meeting is from 5:00-6:00 PM and the MLA reception is from 5:00-7:30 PM. In the spirit of Serious Play, the reception and cash bar will start simultaneously with the MLA business meeting this year! If you wish, after the MLA business meeting, grab another hors d'oeuvre, refresh your drink, and stroll off to the division, section, round table, or committee meeting of your choice. We'll keep the reception humming until 7:30 PM - just in case the meetings leave you wanting another round. (Our other choice for a business meeting time was 7:00-8:00 AM Friday; I opted for the evening time.)
Friday, October 8th, 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
"PALS and open source" with Stephen Elfstrand, Mary Ann Greenwald and Linda Richter PALS has been working with open source library technologies, including a discovery tool, an integrated library system (ILS), an openURL link resolver, and an electronic resource management (ERM) system. Learn why PALS decided to move in this direction, what our current focus is, and what our plans are for the future. Get a glimpse of some of the open source products we are currently working with--including VuFind and the reSearcher products from Simon Fraser University-- and hear about how well these products have met our expectations. You might decide that an open source product is in your future, too.
I hope to see you there. Stop by and introduce yourself. It's a wonderful time to network as well as gather some great information at the sessions.
Marcia Semerau
TSS Chair-Elect
