EBSCO Information Services Creates Open Policy for Data Sharing

EBSCO Information Services has released its new policy on metadata sharing and technology collaboration. EBSCO will make all metadata (and full text when contractually allowed) available for more than 120 full-text databases and 500,000+ e-books, as well as over 50 historical digital archives to third party discovery services. The policy outlines EBSCO’s commitment to exchanging metadata and integrating technologies with partner vendors to enable an enhanced discovery experience for mutual customers. EBSCO’s new policy covers critical areas of mutual collaboration with other discovery vendors. In addition to the sharing of metadata (and full text where allowed), the policy includes EBSCO providing assistance with linking technology that has been requested by customers.

See announcement at http://www.librarytechnology.org/ltg-displaytext.pl?RC=19120

Digital Terminology

As we move into an increasingly digital world we sometimes forget that terms that have a clear meaning to us may be clear as mud to some of our colleagues.  Many of us are using terms such as “institutional repository,” “digital collections” and “digital archive” somewhat interchangeably. But when we look at things in a larger perspective, the reality is that these terms can mean very different things to different people and/or in different contexts. These semantic challenges are starting to garner attention within the profession.  They are especially relevant as our locally created digital holdings multiply and we attempt to preserve and make them accessible to users. 

Recently the term “archive” and “digital archive” have been discussed at some length to help those in the field, and those working on the fringe of the field, understand the different meanings of the term in different contexts. Trevor Owens recently broke down many different meanings of “archive” – including the physical, digital, and IT related kinds.  Check out his post here.  In the first of a two-part post, Kate Theimer has also delved into some of the specific library & archive-related meanings of the term.  Her post is available here.

This is a topic that will continue to be debated, but for now it’s a good idea to have a discussion at your institution to make sure everyone is one the same page.

NASIG issues draft core competencies for print serials librarians

NASIG has issued draft Core competencies for print serials librarians as an intended appendix to the Core competencies for Electronic Resources Librarians.  These competencies describe the skills required to manage serials in physical formats and acknowledge the continuing importance of print materials in library collections.

Core competencies for Serials Librarians are described in in the areas of print material life cycles, technology, research and assessment, communication, supervisions and management, professional development and personal qualities. As described, a Serials Librarian should have a thorough knowledge of serials acquisitions, the ability to organize continuing resources using the principles of bibliographic description, including CONSER and RDA, knowledge of best practices in physical processing and preservation.  Additionally, the Serials Librarian should be able to apply assessment tools to inform a library's serials purchasing and retention decisions. 

The NASIG Core Competencies Task Force plans to host discussion sessions during the 29th Annual NASIG conference in Fort Worth, Texas to gather feedback on this draft. The text of NASIG's announcement and request for comment, and a link to provide comment are available at: http://nasig.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/core-competencies-for-electronic-resources-librarians/.

Online Bibliographic Services and Technical Services Special Interest Sections' Joint Research Grant accepting applications.

Posted at the request of the AALL OBS-SIS and TS-SIS Joint Research Grant Committee.

The AALL OBS-SIS and TS-SIS Joint Research Grant Committee is now accepting applications for the 2014 Grant! 

The purpose of the Online Bibliographic Services and Technical Services Special Interest Sections' Joint Research Grant is to provide support to American Association of Law Libraries members conducting research specific to technical services law librarianship that will enhance law librarianship service to our clients.

Qualifications: AALL membership is required. Preference will be given to applicants who are members of the OBS-SIS and/or TS- SIS at the time of application. Evidence that the research and publication will directly or indirectly benefit technical services law librarianship must be shown.
Grant Awards: JRGC awards grants in a single year ranging in amount of no more than $1,000 at the discretion of JRGC, --and-- pending approval of each grant amount each year as authorized by OBS and TS Executive Boards. 

Deadlines: Applications are due to the JRGC Chair no later than May 15, 2014. Grant recipients will be announced at the annual AALL meeting. Award amounts will be mailed to successful grant recipients as soon as final approval is received by the JRGC Chair.

For more information on the grant and the application process, please visit: http://www.aallnet.org/sections/obs/committees/joint-research-grant-committee

If you have any further questions, please email the JRGC Chair, Kerry Skinner at Kerry.Skinner@asu.edu.

Innovative Acquires Polaris Library Systems

INNOVATIVE ACQUIRES POLARIS LIBRARY SYSTEMS
No, it is not an April Fool's joke.

On March 31, 2014 Innovative acquired Polaris Library Systems, bringing together two of the leading providers of library services platforms to the public library community. The newly combined company will provide Polaris customers with a long term partner in Innovative, which is a global leader in library technology and has been actively investing in people and infrastructure to better serve customers worldwide.

Polaris primarily caters to public libraries. In fact, as a substitute reference librarian at my local public library, I use Polaris--and I love it. It will be interesting to see how this develops.

To read more, and confirm for yourself that it is not an April Fool's joke, check out either website:
http://www.polarislibrary.com/
http://iii.com/polaris