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CHICAGO - The Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) announces two e-forums for this fall. ALCTS e-forums provide opportunities for librarians to discuss matters of interest, led by a moderator, through the e-forum discussion list. The e-forum discussion list works like an e-mail discussion list: register your e-mail address with the list and then you will receive messages and communicate with other participants through an e-mail discussion. is necessary to participate, but it's free. Check the page for more upcoming e-forums.

Developing a Library Metadata Policy

Oct. 13 – 14, 2010; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CST, 9 a.m. – 5 a.m. EST

Moderated by Melanie Wacker and Susan Massey



As libraries move toward using non-MARC metadata schema to describe their collections in addition to MARC format cataloging, many discover the need to develop a local metadata policy. This e-forum is intended to be a two-day session to discuss the following topics, as well as other related ideas:

• What kinds of information do you think should be included in a library metadata policy?
• What metadata policies that other libraries have applied successfully are available as models for developing a policy?
• If your library uses a metadata policy, does the scope cover only your library’s collections, other departments within your institution (such as an institutional repository), or a cooperative effort of multiple libraries? In situations with multiple sources of data input, are there issues with policy enforcement?
• Does the policy focus on one metadata schema and one resource format, or does it address multiple tools applied across a variety of formats? Are there guidelines for choice of schema depending upon the format?
• Is consistency of headings a concern of the metadata policy? How is name authority control or choice of controlled vocabulary addressed in an environment that uses multiple tools and formats?
• Does the policy provide for data cross-walking between schema or for a unified search environment? Are there specific elements that are mandatory for all records to enable user access?

The Moderators:

Melanie Wacker is the metadata coordinator in the Original Serial & Monograph Cataloging unit of the Butler Library, Columbia University Libraries.

Susan A. Massey is the Head of Cataloging at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

If You Love Them, Let Them Float!

Nov. 16 – 17, 2010; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CST, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST

Moderated by Deborah George and Barbara Spruill



With many libraries facing budget cuts and looking for more efficient ways to manage services, the option of floating collections has entered the spotlight again. Once considered a radical approach to collection management, floating a few or perhaps all of a library’s collections is becoming more mainstream than revolutionary. What are the benefits of this model and how does it impact patrons, library collection development and library staff? If you are just curious, considering moving toward this model or about to flip the switch and set your collection free, you’re bound to find useful information for your floating toolkit in this discussion.

The Moderators:



Deborah George is the division director of materials management at Gwinnett County Public Library in Lawrenceville, Ga., where she supervises materials selection and cataloging, as well as technical services and interlibrary loan. Deborah received her MLS from Florida State University.

Barbara Spruill is the branch services division director for Gwinnett County (Ga.) Public Library, which has been floating all collections (except reference materials and magazines) since 2004. Barbara received her MLS from Florida State University and has worked with library collections throughout her career.

For more information contact Kristin Martin, e-forum coordinator, kmarti@uic.edu

ALCTS is a division of the 91´«Ã½.