[11514] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Consortial Management/Governance Issues
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (PACS-L Moderator)
Wed Jul 30 20:12:51 1997
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 1997 18:33:25 -0500
From: PACS-L Moderator <libpacs@UH.EDU>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
From: Diana Paque <dpaque@solano.cc.ca.us>
Subject: Re: Consortial Management/Governance Issues
My Library, Solano College Library, is a member of a consortium
who's purpose is to provide a shared database system for
the online catalog. All files are shared so all members view the
same information in real time. We are a consortium of 6 library
entities, with 2 being community colleges and the rest being
public libraries.
Issues:
When there is a question of standards or quality control, who
is right? Those who were consortium members first or those
who most closely follow national standards? We joined as the
most recent member a year ago, and we are finding that the consortium
is deciding to follow their own rules for combining records into
single records, not the national standards as demonstrated in OCLC
and prescribed by AACR2. How do you resolve these type of discrepancies
with the actual content of the record? We want to be sure that our patrons
know one edition or translation of a work from another; other members
feel it is fine to put all or most editions of a title on the same record
since "most patrons only want the title and don't care about who published it."
Resolution???
Database Integrity: At some point libraries may wish or be forced to dissolve
the consortium. How do joint files dissolve and each library have what they
need?
I realize that the extent of the problem lies in what is shared or done by
the consortium, but in the case of shared patron records or a shared catalog
what comes out may not look as good as it did when it was part of the whole.
Costs: How does the consortium decide on what to spend money on? If one member
can not afford to pay for upgrades/augmentations, how does the consortium
resolve the need with a member's poverty?
If you have any questions I can help you with, let me know. I serve as
vice-chair of the NorthBay Cooperative Library System Board, a member of the
SNAP (catalog consortium) board, and a former member of the CLASS Board of
Directors.
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>
>>This September I will be attending a meeting that will,
>>in part, involve a discussion of management and governance
>>issues related to automated library consortia. In preparation
>>for this meeting, I am attempting to identify significant
>>issues in the management and governance of library
>>consortia.
>>
>>In brief, I'd like to ask your help with identifying
>>significant consortial funding, management and governance
>>issues. I see these issues as being viewed from three
>>perspectives:
>>
>> 1. Local. What are the important consortial issues from the
>> perspective of the local library? What are the problematic
>> or troublesome issues that come up in the local library
>> regarding consortial participation?
>>
>> 2. Governance. If you serve on a consortial governing body,
>> or a subcommittee of such a group (or have opinions
>> about consortial governance), what are the significant
>> issues facing such organizations?
>>
>> 3. Management. If you are employed by a consortium, what
>> are the significant issues related to the management and
>> day-to-day operation of a consortium?
>>
>>Thanks!
>>
>>Bernie Sloan
>>
>>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>>Bernie Sloan
>>Senior Library Information Systems Consultant
>>University of Illinois Office for Planning & Budgeting
>>338 Henry Administration Building
>>506 S. Wright Street
>>Urbana, IL 61801
>>Phone: 217-333-4895
>>Fax: 217-333-6355
>>e-mail: bernies@uillinois.edu
>>
Diana Paque
Head Librarian
Solano Community College Library
4000 Suisun Valley Road
Suisun, CA 94585
voice (707) 864-7243
fax (707) 864-7231
email dpaque@solano.cc.ca.us
