OCLC Libraries Research Articles

OCLC library holdings: assessing availability of academic books in libraries in print and electronic compared to citations and altmetrics

Although library holding data is constructed upon work format of books, it is less known how much print and electronic books in libraries contribute to the library holding counts. In response, this research is an attempt to explore the distribution of library holding data across work formats and investigate the availability of library print holdings and library electronic holdings for books as constituents of the library holding metric across fields and over time and compared with other book metrics. ISBNs, titles and author names of 119,794 Scopus-indexed book titles across 26 fields were examined for fourteen variables including OCLC Library Holdings, Scopus Citations, Google Books Citations, Goodreads engagements, and Altmetric indicators. There are three major findings: (a) library holdings are a more comprehensively available metric for books (over 97%) than any other metric and could be useful after short time after first edition publication, followed by Google Books, Goodreads and Scopus, respectively; (b) on average electronic holdings are seven times (median three times) more numerous than print holdings and their ratio is growing considerably for more recent books; (c) there is consistent downward trend in average print book holdings, suggesting that library print holding data are cumulative in nature and statistically comparable to formal citations; however, acquisition of electronic books in libraries is inconsistent in distribution plot as well as over time. In sum, the differences between print and electronic holding data are broad making them distinct metrics, suggesting that further research is needed for understanding their implications for book impact assessment.

Why does library holding format really matter for book impact assessment?: Modelling the relationship between citations and altmetrics with print and electronic holdings

Scholarly books are important outputs in some fields and their many publishing formats seem to introduce opportunities to scrutinize their impact. As there is a growing interest in the publisher-enforced massive collection of ebooks in libraries in the past decade, this study examined how this influences the relationship that library print holdings (LPH), library electronic holdings (LEH) and total library holdings (TLH) have with other metrics. As a follow up study to a previous research on OCLC library holdings, the relationship between library holdings and twelve other metrics including Scopus Citations, Google Books (GB) Citations, Goodreads engagements, and Altmetric indicators were examined for 119,794 Scopus-indexed book titles across 26 fields. Present study confirms the weak correlation levels observed between TLH and other indicators in previous studies and contributes additional evidence that print holdings can moderately reflect research, educational and online impact of books consistently more efficient than eholdings and total holdings across fields and over time, except for Mendeley for which eholdings slightly prevailed. Regression models indicated that along with other dimensions, Google Books Citations frequently best explained LPH (in 14 out of 26 fields), whereas Goodreads User counts were weak, but the best predictor of both LEH and TLH (in 15 fields out of 26), suggesting significant association of eholdings with online uptake of books. Overall, findings suggest that inclusion of eholdings overrides the more impactful counts of print holdings in Total Library Holdings metric and therefore undermines the statistical results, whilst print holdings has both statistically and theoretically promising underlying assumptions for prediction of impact of books and shows greater promise than the general Library Holding metric for book impact assessment. Thus, there is a need for a distinction between print and electronic holding counts to be made, otherwise total library holding data need to be interpreted with caution.

The Library of Virginia Cookbook Collection

My obsession with collecting cookbooks for the Library of Virginia began after a very savvy book dealer offered me a collection of Virginia cookbooks of “genealogical significance and import.” The fellow is a very good salesman and made a convincing argument, but his prices were more than I wanted to pay. He did, however, inspire me to begin looking for cookbooks in the aforementioned thrift stores and estate sales, where I usually pay from fifty cents to a couple of dollars for a book. Once in a while I am tempted to pay retail for a particularly good regional cookbook or a very unusual collective work. But usually I spend no more than $5. I seldom spend Library funds for cookbooks, but there are exceptions. For example, a few months ago a rare book dealer “offered” the Library a copy of the 1921 Hampton Institute cookbook, A Book of Recipes for the Cooking School, by Carrie Alberta Lyford, for about $275. However, after a bit of research I discovered that very edition still available at the Hampton Museum for $40. I’m sure the dealer’s copy has character, but the Library was able to acquire a pristine example for a very reasonable price. Considering fewer than 25 OCLC libraries hold the book, it can be considered scarce (though perhaps not rare).

“Just-in-Case” Answers: The Twenty-FirstCentury Vertical File

“Just-in-Case” Answers: The Twenty-FirstCentury Vertical File

디지털 자원의 위험관리 사례연구

디지털 아카이빙 실행을 위한 위험관리의 필요성을 인식하고, 위험을 줄이기 위한 방안을 강구하고자 해외의 위험관리 사례를 조사한다. 사례로 선정된 기관은 OCLC와 코넬대학 도서관이다. 양 기관은 실질적인 실험을 바탕으로 위험관리를 수행해 타 기관에 좋은 모범이 되고 있다. 사례를 바탕으로 국내에서 위험관리의 실행을 위한 방안으로 위험관리 요소 규명, 파일 포맷과 마이그레이션 프로그램 등의 실험 테스트, 위험관리 수행 전담기구 설립을 제안한다. This paper is to probe foreign cases about risk management and to develop a method for the risk management of the digital resources, This is under the perception that the risk management is necessary for digital archiving implementation. OCLC and Cornell University Library are the leading institutions in the area of risk management. They are the best examples because they make a decision about the risk management through the testing and experimentation. Based on case studies, identification of element of risk management process in our environment, the foundation of national center for risk management, and testing file format and migration program as practical plan of risk management for digital resources are suggested.

The Issue of Word Division in Cataloging Chinese Language Titles

ABSTRACT This study addresses how syllable or word division in bibliographic records of Chinese materials affects title keyword searches. Title keyword searches with both syllable division and word division are conducted in OCLC, RLIN, and Peking University Library (PKUL), and results are compared in terms of recall and precision. It is found that with both OCLC and RLIN, the recall and precision percentages vary greatly if the syllables of a keyword in the search are aggregated or not. In contrast, for PKUL, the recall and precision percentages remain high and the same in both ways. The findings suggest that PKUL has two advantages over OCLC and RLIN that would reduce human errors in word division in cataloging and searching.

한국과학기술정보연구원의 회의명.단체명 전거 파일 구축 연구

이 연구의 목적은 한국과학기술정보연구원의 회의명 단체명의 전거 데이터베이스를 위한 전거 레코드 생성의 실무적 단계 및 레코드 반입의 정보원인 OCLC와 LC의 전거 데이터베이스의 특성을 서술하는 것이다. 주요한 내용은 전거 레코드 작성의 워크플로우, OCLC와 LC의 전거 데이터베이스의 구조와 탐색방법의 비교, 분석을 포함하였다. LC 전거 데이터베이스의 탐색을 실제 단계별로 살펴보고, 반입 레코드의 수정 실례를 들어, 한국과학기술정보연구원 전거 파일 구축의 실무에 참조할 수 있는 지침이 되도록 하였다. The purpose of this study is to describe the current practises and procedure of building the authority file for corporate names and conference names for Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information Authority Database, and the characteristics of OCLC WorldCat and Library of Congress Authorities Database as the sources for importing authority records. Workflow of creating authorities records is explained and the structures and search strategies for OCLC and LC databases are compared and analyzed. The actual procedures of importing records from outside sources and revising their contents to represent KISTI's needs are described step by step, and records are illustrated.

Gay, lesbian and bisexual titles: their treatment in the review media and their selection by libraries

Reports on a comparison of the 1992 Lambda Book Award titles and a sample of titles reviewed in the Lambda Book Report with a control group of titles listed in Publishers Weekly, “Forecasts”. Finds that while the Lambda Award titles received about the same number of reviews as the control group titles, the LBR sample received significantly fewer reviews. However, both samples of gay/lesbian/ bisexual books are held in significantly fewer OCLC libraries than are the control titles. Examines the content of reviews of sample books and finds that they show no apparent bias on the part of the reviewers.

OCLC interlending and document delivery services

OCLC provides inter‐library lending facilities for participating libraries in 52 countries worldwide via the OCLC PRISM ILL system. This service can be used to borrow monographs and serial articles from either participating OCLC libraries or document suppliers. Enhancements to the PRISM system currently being implemented are described. FirstSearch document delivery options and electronic journal services are outlined, together with OCLC's plans for providing integrated access to these and ILL services.

The Role of Reviewing Media in the Selection of Classical Recordings

This study examines the relationship between the reviewing media and classical music recording collections in libraries in order to determine if reviews are an important selection tool for these collections. As previous studies have shown that there is a correlation between the number of reviews a work receives and the number of libraries owning that work, it is hypothesized that this relationship holds true for classical music recordings. A second hypothesis is that a correlation exists between the nature of the reviews, positive or negative, a recording receives and its ownership by libraries. The number and direction of a random sample of two hundred classical recordings released in 1989 is tallied from the review index in MLA Notes, as is the number of OCLC libraries owning each item. These data suggest that there is no correlation between the number of reviews a work receives and the number of libraries owning that work, nor between the number of positive reviews a work receives and its ownership by libraries. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed, and further questions are raised.

OCLC Users Council Meets: Report to Users

“Values and Visions = Policies and Actions” was the focus of the May OCLC Users Council meeting, continuing the theme “Transforming Technologies: Reconstructing Libraries for the New Information Community.” During the period between the February Users Council meeting and the May Users Council meeting, a “Trends in Library Services Survey,” also known as the values survey, was mailed to 390 OCLC member libraries: 330 libraries that belong to the OCLC Library Market Research Panel and the 60 Users Council delegates by the OCLC marketing and sales division.

The choral music of Latin America: a guide to compositions and research

Preface OCLC Library Symbols Brief History of Art Music in Latin America Practical Guide to Research Catalogue of Composers and Works Coded Information Sources Anthologies and Collections of Music Series of Music Music Publishers Selected Discography Recording Companies Music Archives Biographical Bibliography Periodicals Appendices Selected General Bibliography Scholars, Organizations, and Schools with Special Interest in Latin American Studies

Use of the OCLC/AMIGOS Collection Analysis CD to Determine Comparative Collection Strength in English and American Literature

In 1989 OCLC and the AMIGOS Bibliographic Council released a new product called Collection Analysis CD. It was developed to assist OCLC libraries in measuring the adequacy of their collections as compared with peer institutions. The compact disc product provides statistical data as well as lists of titles in specified categories, such as overlap titles in specific call number ranges. This paper evaluates the product and describes possible uses in a collection development setting.

Selection and Holdings of Small Publishers' Books in Oclc Libraries: A Study of the Influence of Reviews, Publishers, and Vendors

This study answers questions related to the influence of reviews, publishers, and vendors on selection and holdings of small publishers' books in OCLC member libraries. Particular emphasis is given to reviews. Holdings of 450 titles are analyzed, and a significant relation is found between holdings and reviews. Attention is paid to core review journals, the distribution of publishers, and the identification of useful vendors. Questionnaire responses from librarians and vendors add information on how small press books are chosen and promoted. This study's findings lend credence to theoretical models of the selection process that have noted the importance of reviews and core journals, and they suggest that the influence of vendors may be a critical variable to consider in the future.

Selecting Printers and Modems

Discusses the suitability and characteristics of various printer and modem types for OCLC library applications. Considers the features and suitability of daisy wheel, dot matrix, and laser printers for various tasks, and features and terminology used in modems. Concludes that printer choice depends on intended use, while modems should be Hayes‐compatible and of sufficient transmission speed.

Member Input and the OCLC Database

The Library Operations department of the University of Cincinnati Health Sciences Library recently analyzed 192 monograph records input into the OCLC database using either the "NEW" command or a work-form for original input. Records studied represented materials for three separate library divisions: health sciences, nursing, and history of health sciences, which were cataloged over an 18-month period of time. Approximately 35% of the 192 records have been used by other OCLC libraries for cataloging. This paper briefly discusses implications of member input records on the OCLC data base in light of their value to the OCLC user.

Life After Input

This article examines the original input of serials into OCLC by a medium-sized research library, evaluating both to what degree and in what way the records are used thereafter, as well as the role of CONSER in the upgrading of records. In addition, the impact of the OCLC Oxford Project on the original input of serials into the data base is explored, followed by recommendations for the future role of n o n-CONSER OCLC libraries in the maintenance of member-input serial records.

Creating a Cataloging Activity Report Using SaveScreen and M3WRITE

A daily task in the OCLC Library is the tracking of information on cataloging activity for subsequent compilation in a monthly report of titles cataloged and the date of the cataloging activity. The report is used by the Manager, OCLC Library Technical Services Section, to compile statistics and to check the printed shelflist catalog cards received from OCLC.

Career Profiles and Sex Discrimination in the Library Profession (Book Review)

College & Research Libraries to which citation analysis has long been applied, Bulick examines the degree to which disciplines use their own literatures or borrow extensively from others. Those which rely heavily on endogenous litera- tures are considered to be analytical disciplines whose paradigms, in Kuhn's sense, are well developed; those which borrow heavily from other fields are '' syn- thetic'' and have less full and mature para- digms. Using his measures this way, Bulick ar- gues that economists' focused, or ethno- centric'' use of materials shows a degree of consensus on basic issues of theory and technique not matched by the other social sciences. Geography, with its notoriously unfavorable balance of trade with other disciplines, is ranked lowest on these measures, leaving sociology, anthropol- ogy, and political science somewhere in between. Bulick' s discussion of the individual so- cial sciences incorporates a skilled and in- formed interleaving of the history both of the several disciplines themselves and of their treatment by the LC classification scheme. We too often think of the latter as received from above, but Bulick reminds us that in its developmental stages, LC was an emerging commentary on and at- tempt to organize emerging disciplines. Bulick' s most interesting conclusion, based both on patterns of cross- disciplinary use and on various measures of association which assess the conjoint reading between pairs of disciplines, is that the boundaries of the individual so- cial sciences .may never become as clear as those of the physical sciences. But the so- cial sciences as a whole, with their com- munal interests in literatures within social science and its special cousin, history, may be blending into a unified social sci- ence. This is not a perfect book. It is somewhat specialized, in that the structure of branch libraries at Pittsburgh necessarily ex- cluded the sciences from consideration, and Bulick chooses not to discuss the hu- manities. One might ask for more consid- eration of use patterns between specific pairs of disciplines and of what this means. One can quibble with the misuse November 1984 of the term sociology of knowledge or argue that the Bradford/Zip£ distribution t€lls us little of interest to librarians that a simple J-curve of use does not convey and that it does not merit the attention Bulick gives it. One can definitely become upset, as I imagine Bulick himself is, that an im- portant table is mislabelled-readers should bring themselves to note in their li- brary copies that the column headings of Table 6.23 should all slide one place to the right. Imperfect? Of course, and fascinating. The only serious flaw with this book is that we are ignoring it. Reviews have been few and only some 120 OCLC libraries have cataloged it. Either librarians are unsure that an understanding of the disciplines they serve has anything to say about how they should conduct their business, or there is something wrong with the system of gatekeepers that is supposed to help us sort out the big books from the little books.-Paul Metz, Virginia Polytechnic In- stitute. Career Profiles and Sex Discrimination in the Library Profession. Prepared by Kathleen Heim and Leigh S. Estabrook. Chicago: American Library Assn., 1983. 82p. $15. LC 83-3838. ISBN 0-8389-3282- Results of statistical surveys frequently pose more interesting questions than those which prompted the survey in the first place. Heim and Estabrook's project is no exception. The task that Heim, Esta- brook, and the ALA Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) set for themselves was a com- prehensive career study of librarians, ex- amining in particular the differences in status (salary, administrative responsibil- ity, career advancement) between female and male members of the American Li- brary Association. Career Profiles and Sex Discrimination reports the results of their research but, in a mere 46 pages of text, ac- complishes much more. As principle investigators Heim and Es- tabrook are quite explicit about the dual purpose and goal of their research, this study was designed not only to provide data useful for analyzing and evaluating