Interest Groups - Core Metadata & Collections Section

Interest Groups (IGs) offer Core members outstanding networking, informational, and problem-solving opportunities. They provide a great way to begin your career of service to the division in an informal way without a heavy commitment. They also offer the library community a chance to come together to discuss hot topics of specific relevance and address pressing issues.

To join an interest group, follow the links to it in ALA Connect, log in with your ALA account, and use the "Join Community" button in the top left-hand corner above the group's name.

• Authority Control
  Provides a forum for discussion of a variety of issues related to authority control for online catalogs and for international sharing of authority of data.
• Bibliographic Conceptual Models
  Provides a dedicated forum for the discussion of conceptual models, such as IFLA-LRM and BIBFRAME 2.0, that serve as the basis for current cataloging standards or are expected to provide a foundation for future cataloging standards in a Linked Open Data environment. Topics of special interest include: theoretical foundations of bibliographical conceptual models; the implementation of bibliographical conceptual models in information systems (especially Linked Data-based systems); extensions of current conceptual models; ontologies and conceptual models used in GLAM institutions.
• Cartographic Resources Cataloging (Core/MAGIRT)
  Discusses the basic issues relating to bibliographic control of maps and related materials. Discusses rules and standards covering such cataloging, as well as application of the rules and principles both in general and in response to specific problems, and various practicing options. This is a joint interest group with the Map & Geospatial Information Round Table (MAGIRT).
• Catalog Form and Function
  Explores the evolving nature of the library catalog and its relationship to the fundamental mission and expanding services of libraries.
• Catalog Management
  Discusses the various issues involved in cataloging, classification, authority control and metadata application after the initial cataloging has been performed, including its impact on discovery. Provides a forum for exchanging information and discussing techniques, new developments, and problems with managing the data integrity of library catalogs and related discovery tools.
• Cataloging and Classification Research
  Provides a showcase for viewing and discussing the latest research projects in the organization and retrieval of information.
• Cataloging Norms
  Offers a forum for the exploration, communication, and exchange of ideas on the dynamics and evolution of cataloging/metadata norms and workflows. We encourage and seek out participation from anyone with an interest in cataloging – from public, academic, school, or special libraries – regardless of experience level or training.
• Chief Collection Development Officers of Large Research Libraries
  Discusses the various collection development and collection management issues of concern to large research libraries, especially issues affecting diverse collections that support a broad spectrum of instructional, research, and cultural programs. Provide sa forum for the exchange of information on new developments, techniques, challenges, and opportunities in managing library collections, as well as seeking opportunities for collaboration and cooperation to increase the effectiveness and efficiencies of support for our institutions.
• Collection Development Issues for the Practitioner
  Identifies the forces of change in the development and management of collections as they affect the individual selector and the selector’s ability to address and manage these changes. Presents forums and programs, designs guidelines, identifies resources, and collects and disseminates information.
• Collection Evaluation and Assessment
  Dedicated to quantitative measures based on commonly defined data; managing information resources and developing institutional benchmarking; explores, develops, and promotes the use of both descriptive data and outcomes/impacts data.
• Collection Management in Public Libraries
  Provides a discussion forum for librarians, library workers, and others whose interests include selection, collection development, and collection management in public libraries of all sizes.
• Competencies and Education for a Career in Cataloging
  Discusses the various issues involved in cataloging, classification, authority control and metadata application after the initial cataloging has been performed, including its impact on discovery. Provides a forum for exchanging information and discussing techniques, new developments, and problems with managing the data integrity of library catalogs and related discovery tools.
• Copy Cataloging
  Discusses informally common problems concerning copy cataloging, including discussions on quality control of copy cataloging units, workflows in copy cataloging, copy cataloging of all kinds of materials (monographs, serials, audiovisuals, etc.), staffing needs in copy cataloging, training of copy cataloging, effects of changes in cataloging standards, and technology on copy cataloging.
• Creative Ideas in Technical Services
  Provides a forum for discussion of issues within the field of technical services which are relevant to library staff at all levels, particularly those issues relating to the evolution of technical services as it affects and is affected by technology and greater interdependency among all library departments.
• Electronic Resources
  Provides a forum for the exchange of ideas among those persons working with or interested in electronic resources; promotes the acquisition and access of electronic resources collections; strengthens communication and cooperation among persons working with electronic resources collections; addresses issues related to collection management and development of electronic resources, their funding, and selection; and contributes to the improvement of education and training of electronic resource archivists and librarians.
• Faceted Subject Access
  Discusses the theory and applications related to subject terminology intended for faceted application, including FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology), AAT (Art and Architecture Thesaurus), LCGFT (Library of Congress Genre/From terms), and others. Serves as a forum for users and others interested in the faceted approach to subject access to compare notes and discuss further developments and implementation of subject faceting for digital projects and related topics.
• MARC Formats Transition
  Provides a forum to educate the library community about ongoing efforts to transition from the MARC Standard for bibliographic data and examines new approaches and strategies for implementing bibliographic data models within the framework of linked open data and semantic web technology.
• Metadata
  Provides a broad framework for information exchange on current research developments, tools, and activities affecting networked information resources and metadata; coordinates and actively participates in the development and review of standards concerning networked resources and metadata in conjunction with the divisions’ committees and sections, other units within ALA, and relevant outside agencies; and develops programs and fosters and sponsors education and training opportunities that contribute to and enhance an understanding of networked resources and metadata, their identity, content, technology, access, control, and use; and plans and monitors activities using Core’s strategic and tactical plan as a framework.
• Newspaper
  Provides a resource for librarians and company representatives interested in newspapers to share information and concerns.
• Public Libraries Technical Services
  Provides a forum for the discussion of technical services issues in public libraries, particularly those unique to public library operations, with the aim to encourage discussion of all aspects of technical services activities and to include all levels of technical services staff within public libraries.
• Role of the Professional Librarian in Technical Services
  Provides a forum to discuss common problems concerning aspects of professional activity, both supervisory and non-administrative, in the technical services area of academic research libraries.
• Technical Services Directors of Large Research Libraries
  Informally discusses issues and opportunities within the field of technical services which are common to the administration of large research libraries. Technical Services is broadly defined, as traditional technical services work is increasingly distributed across library systems.
• Technical Services Workflow Efficiency
  Provides a forum to discuss and analyze techniques, new developments, problems and technological advances in the workflows associated with the evaluation, selection, acquisition, and discovery of library materials and resources.

Related Interest Groups

• Book and Paper
  Discusses matters related to the preservation and continuing role of books, paper-based materials, and other tangible artifacts in collections. Discussion includes, but is not limited to, library binding, physical quality and treatment.
• Digital Conversion
  A venue for discussing the digitization, preservation, and access of print, audio, photographic, and moving image materials, as well as the migration, preservation, and access of born digital collections, including web-based and software-based materials. This group is part of the Technology Section.
• Ebooks
  Provides a regular forum for discussion and to meet at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings. Core represents a large segment of libraries and can be influential with publishers and vendors to benefit libraries and library users as the ebook landscape evolves. Core welcomes any type of library or library agency, as well as consortia, to join this group.
• Linked Data
  Provides a forum for discussion of issues related to Linked Library Data and the role of library metadata in the Semantic web. Goals include: raising awareness of Semantic Web technologies, such as the Resource Description Framework (RDF) and the use of URIs as identifiers within bibliographic descriptions; promoting research on linked data challenges, such as domain modeling and vocabulary selection and design; and informing the ongoing development of existing metadata standards for Libraries, Archives and Cultural Heritage Institutions. This group is part of the Technology Section.
• Open Access
  Brings together library staff interested in open access (OA) publishing, including, but not limited to: OA and collection development; transformative agreements; library sponsored author funds; and OA library publishing. The interest group will keep members informed of new policies and practices in this area.
• Preservation Administration
  Focuses on both broad and specific preservation issues in libraries. Topics encompass physical collections generally, and occasionally digital preservation issues. We serve academic, public, special, and other types of libraries.
• Project Management
  A forum where those who are interested in the topic of project management or working in this area can come together to learn and share expertise; explores how libraries and library workers can develop PM skills and apply PM to their organizations.
• Promoting Preservation
  Advocates for preservation of cultural heritage materials among librarians and non-librarians by offering educational opportunities and supporting outreach efforts both inside and outside of institutional library contexts. To promote understanding of preservation principles and objectives, development of preservation skill sets, and cultivation of potential preservation funding sources.
• Publisher-Vendor-Library Relations Interest Group
  Provides connectivity between publishers, libraries, and vendors. We strive to bridge gaps in communication among these groups by supplying ongoing training opportunities, hosting discussion groups, and presenting information on current and future trends through ALA programs and e-forums.
• Technical Services Managers in Academic Libraries Interest Group
  Meets and discusses informally problems within the field of technical services which are common to the administration of small- to medium-sized academic and research libraries. This group is part of the Leadership & Management Section.