[InetBib] RLG to combine with OCLC / The Changing Nature of the Catalog and Its Integration with Other Discovery Tools (Library of Congress)

[delin@xxxxxx (Delin, Peter)]

Eine Nachricht aus AMIA-L: RLG und OCLC gehen zusammen. Und wo wir schon 
bei neuen Entwicklungen im Bereich der Online-Kataloge sind: Auch der 
Calhoun-Report ist interessant, falls hier noch nicht gepostet (?) 
(Hinweis stammt von unserem amerikanischen Reference-Kollegen hier in 
der ZLB)

Peter Delin/Videolektorat
Zentral- und Landesbilbiothek Berlin


- Library Catalogs
Source: Library of Congress
Just Released Report: The Changing Nature of the Catalog and Its 
Integration with Other Discovery Tools (PDF) 
<http://www.loc.gov/catdir/calhoun-report-final.pdf>
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/calhoun-report-final.pdf
"The Library of Congress recently issued a report that challenges 
assumptions about the traditional library catalog and proposes new 
directions for the research library catalog in the digital era. 
Commissioned by the Library and prepared by Associate University 
Librarian Karen Calhoun of Cornell University, the report assesses the 
impact of the Internet on the traditional online public access catalog 
and concludes that library patrons want easy-to-use catalogs that are 
accessible on the Web...The report...grew out of the Library of Congress 
Bicentennial Conference on Bibliographic Control for the New Millennium, 
held in November 2000."

- RLG to combine with OCLC
An interesting development on the cataloging and research front . . .  an
eventual merger of RLIN and WorldCat!


RLG to combine with OCLC

Combined programs and services to advance offerings and drive efficiencies
for libraries, archives, museums and other research organizations worldwide

DUBLIN, Ohio, May 3, 2006?Two of the world?s largest membership-based
information organizations have agreed to come together.  The combined
organization will offer an integrated product and service line, and will
give libraries, archives and museums new leverage in developing services,
standards and software that will help them support research and disseminate
knowledge online.

The RLG Board of Directors and OCLC Board of Trustees have recommended that
the two service and research organizations be combined effective July 1,
2006.  If approved by RLG member institutions, RLG?s online products and
services will be integrated with OCLC products and services, and RLG?s
program initiatives will be brought forward as a new division of OCLC
Programs and Research.

A combined organization would provide an opportunity to leverage program
strengths, services and innovative research initiatives, and to deliver 
more
value to a greater number of libraries, museums, archives and other 
research
organizations around the globe.

RLG is a nonprofit organization of over 150 research libraries, archives,
museums and other cultural memory institutions that designs and delivers
innovative information discovery services, organizes collaborative 
programs,
and takes an active role in creating and promoting relevant standards and
practices.  OCLC Online Computer Library Center is a nonprofit, membership,
library service and research organization whose public purposes of
furthering access to the world?s information and reducing library costs
dominate its plans and activities.  OCLC provides computer-based 
cataloging,
reference, resource sharing, eContent, preservation services and 
research to
54,000 libraries in 109 countries.

?The last few years have instilled in us all an urgent need to find
innovative, cost-effective and compelling ways to bring research 
collections
into the heart of the online environment and into the hands of those who 
can
benefit from them,? said James Neal, Vice President for Information 
Services
and University Librarian at Columbia University, and Chair of the RLG Board
of Directors.  ?It is time that RLG and OCLC take united action if we 
are to
realize our long-held and long-shared mutual goal of providing information
to people when and where they need it.  New challenges demand new thinking,
so after deliberation and careful thought, both RLG and OCLC came to the
conclusion that the best way to serve our members? interests was to combine
forces.?

?The OCLC Board of Trustees and OCLC management believe that it is in the
best interests of the library and cultural heritage community in general,
and the research library community in particular, for RLG and OCLC to 
create
a united organization that leverages our respective strengths,? said Betsy
Wilson, Dean of University Libraries, University of Washington, and Chair,
OCLC Board of Trustees.  ?We must work together, so that in the years to
come, the people and institutions we serve will point to our alliance as a
signal achievement in advancing research, scholarship and education.?

RLG?s program initiatives would be continued as RLG-Programs, a new 
division
of OCLC Programs and Research that would provide programs to support
architecture, standards development and best practices, to name a few.

James Michalko, who currently leads RLG, would serve as Vice President of
RLG-Programs Development, working under the leadership of Lorcan Dempsey,
Vice President of Research and OCLC Chief Strategist.  RLG-Programs would
remain a membership-based organization.  Its agenda would be shaped by the
needs of its members and guided by a dedicated Program Council.

?RLG-Programs will continue RLG?s successful tradition of identifying 
issues
and building consensus among research institutions,? said Mr. Michalko.
?When combined with OCLC?s research capacities and robust prototyping
capabilities, RLG-Programs will transform collaborative activity for our
member institutions.  Through RLG-Programs initiatives, staff from member
institutions will work together to gain and share competence in the use of
new technologies, contribute to the development of new standards, and
collectively improve the ability of researchers to find and use the rich
collections that members manage on their behalf.?

RLG?s online products and services would be integrated with OCLC service
offerings as appropriate.  The potential for increased services and
consolidation of costs would result in overall savings.  For example, RLIN,
the RLG Union Catalog, would be integrated into WorldCat, delivering
economies of scale and reach that would benefit members of both RLG and
OCLC.

Both organizations are committed to providing seamless, high-quality
services and service levels.  Any change in RLG service offerings will be
announced well in advance.

Approval of the agreement requires the assent of two-thirds of voting RLG
member institutions.  Voting will conclude in early June.  RLG-Programs
would maintain an office in Mountain View, California.  Staffing decisions
will be made in the weeks leading up to the proposed transition.

?We know that the RLG membership shares with the OCLC membership a
conviction to deliver access to the world?s information,? said Jay Jordan,
OCLC President and CEO.  ?Together, we can deliver enhanced solutions that
collect, organize, preserve and provide access to information, not just for
today, but for future generations.?