Issues and Challenges of Cataloging Materials in Non-roman Languages

Theses Statement

This paper reviews recent literature regarding issues and challenges of cataloging materials in non-Roman languages. It provides background information and a discussion of the issues and opportunities that libraries should be aware of as they consider providing services in the future. This review addresses the need for cataloging process. The writing on trends and issues affecting library and data science is abundant, and incorporates changes in innovation; insightful correspondence, including open access to data services; appraisal and responsibility; and changes in advanced education teaching methods. It is difficult to offer a far-reaching review of current library data. Therefore, this paper will look at the areas as recognized by significant experts and research associations. I chose to talk about the current issues and challenges that cataloguers will be facing today. Many of the trends to be addressed in this research are based upon studies that were conducted from 2012 to the present. This research also presents issues that catalogers are experiencing such as, publication, copyright, metadata, and other different languages.

Keywords: cataloguing, RDA, digital environment, metadata, encoding scheme

Discuss the issues, challenges, etc., of cataloging materials in non-Roman Languages.

Introduction

This research paper will discuss the current issues and challenges that catalogers face today. As expressed by (Burke & Millar, 1998), “the data world has extended drastically during the most recent decade due principally to advancements in correspondence. Information technology improvements have brought about new techniques for communication with the most recent media communication systems having adjusted the speed of communications. Therefore, a cataloguing is a wellspring of data where the clients inside the establishment have the entrance to dig in data and search for direction from the librarians. Cataloguing is not just building a catalogue, but it also provides information to those user’s according to needs; The research on issues and challenges affecting cataloguers, libraries and data science is abundant, and incorporates changes in innovation. Information materials that include books, manuscripts, journals, DVD, CD ROMS, audio visual materials, and microfilms. It is difficult to offer a far-reaching review of current issues and challenges. Rather, this research topic will look at the areas as recognized by significant experts and research associations. I choose to talk about the current challenges that cataloguers will be facing today. Incorporated into this research of the writing’s of articles, books, and reports that were made from 1998 – to the present-time issues of libraries. 

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Information and Communication Technology and the Library

The world is quickly changing, and without question, technology has altered the way we live, interact, and create. Information and communication technologies have become essential tools in modern society. To pursue professional ethics in creating timely and high-quality information system, cataloguers need to develop a new mindset to deal with the increased complexity in cataloguing (Esse, 2013). The World-Wide Wed has influenced all aspects of our lives and has changed the way we work, study and even think. As the World Wide Web turns into an undeniably platform for the conveyance of digitized data information, cataloguers and cataloging face the challenges of using information that can be accurate and reliable to their sources. So according to Rao & Babu, 2001 (p.26) “The environment in which librarians work is changing in terms of greater access to a range of information, increased speed in acquiring information, greater complexity in locating, analyzing and linking information.

The Catalogue and the Cataloguer

Libraries not only provide information, but they also collect and protect materials that we use on a daily basis. The library gives us access to the materials that have been processed through cataloging. Cataloging Librarian, responsible for managing and collecting data, must input that data into an electronic data base and ensures that the Library of Congress guidelines are used to catalog those collections. The Library of Congress is probably the largest cataloging operations in the world that has provided the source of cataloging data and standards for the library community.

Cataloguing, simply a bibliographic description of documents, make it easy for searchers to identify the documents in a collection when seen (Esse, 2013). Cataloguing the web is no longer necessary to catalogue anything. The period of microform equipment, photocopiers, printers, and the card catalog has been replaced with a developing cluster of equipment, such as hardware, software, and systems. Today’s cataloguer must be multi-skilled, computer literate, able to operate different in-house library systems, able to use the online packages, such as Online Computer Center (OCLC); Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC21), WEB Dewey (electronic version of the Dewey Decimal Classification), Web LC (electronic version of the Library of Congress) and others (Esse, 2013).

Issues with cataloging non-Roman Language and any other materials.

There are a number of issues and challenges in the community of Cataloging Librarians which must be taken into account when answering the questions regarding processing non-Roman languages and other materials. The issues and challenges that may occur have a lot to do with the systems support for the new formats, such as the improvement with cataloging and database management systems. In a study conduct by Ismail and Roni (2013, p.11), “The major problems faced by cataloguers in cataloguing Arabic books were due to the Arabic scripts themselves.” Meaning it is very difficult for cataloguers to vocalize or process through the reading of Arabic materials. Another problem facing the cataloguers is the difficulty of determining the subject headings for Arabic books (Ismail and Roni, 2013). With the format and database, it is very hard for the computer to function and to recognize and manipulate what is being read. Some others issues that could occur for the processing would be the cost associated with getting librarians familiarized with leaning the types of calligraphy as well as knowing the books’ names, titles, statements of publications, and the scripts of the non-Roman books due to the differences from the English versions of book materials.

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The present affect of these technologies and the new trend in cataloguing.

New information age has strictly divided the work of information profession into two parts: creating access to, and the communication (dissemination) of information (Esse, 2013). Cataloguing is still the key to access that will help users find the knowledge and information they need from amongst the tidal wave of data. The cataloguers will process the available materials/books, journals, and other information that are properly catalogued into the system. So simply staying organized and current presents a challenge to any academic or research libraries in a world where information, software tools, and devices advance at a strenuous rate. New developments in technology are presenting exciting opportunities for libraries, as their potential for improving the quality of operations and services is undeniable. However, it can be overwhelming for library staff to keep up with the ever-changing landscape; just as they are able to master one technology, it seems a new version launches. Based on the literature review, according to MacDonald and vanDuinkerken (2015), it seems obvious that librarians can add value to their organizations by increasing quality or enhancing user satisfaction. By this, leaders should design their organizational strategies to find balance in the system and should work closely with faculty to promote and expand librarian involvement in instruction and information literacy consultation in support of academic programming and student learning outcomes. Continually review, evaluate, and improve the library’s information to ensure that it meets user needs, promotes ease of access to information resources and incorporates up-to-date technologies and effective user interface design features. Excellent leadership skills includes the ability to listen to the needs and preferences of staff and users of the community as well as being responsive with high quality customer service that is appropriate and respectful of all users: students, faculty, staff, and administration. Finally, excellent library leadership must ensure the provision of library services in an environment that is mindful of the comfort level and dignity of our users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cataloguers face many challenges in this century due to the development of technology and the demand for information nowadays. This paper discussed the current issues and challenges that occur in today’s world. Difficult errands set aside a lot of opportunities to accomplish. The information and communication technology that has become essential tools in modern society. The issues with cataloging non-Roman Language that may occur with systems support for new formats that will improve cataloging and database management systems. Finally, the present affecting technology and the new trends in cataloguing.

References

• Bell Steven, J. (2015). Top 10 academic library issues for 2015 | from the bell tower. Retrieved from http://scholar.aci.info/view/1487037a8d76f920132/14bc9577eaf3e79014d
• Burke, M., & Millar, S. (1998). Responding to challenges: The training and educating of the information professional for the next millennium. Aslib Proceedings, 50(5), 100-108. doi:10.1108/eb051491
• Danskin, A. (2007). “Tomorrow Never Knows”: The end of cataloguing? IFLA Journal,33(3), 205-209. doi:10.1177/0340035207083301
• El-Sherbini, M., & Chen, S. (2011). An Assessment of the Need to Provide Non-Roman Subject Access to the Library Online Catalog. Cataloging & Classification Quarterly,49(6), 457-483. doi:10.1080/01639374.2011.603108
• Esse, Ugwunwa. (2013). Current Trends in Cataloguing and the Challenges of a Cataloguer in the Digital Age. Information Impact: Journal of Information And Knowledge Management, 4. 16-23.
• Hisle W Lee. (2002, Nov 1,). Top issues facing academic libraries. College & Research Libraries News, 63, 714.
• Ismail, M. I., & Roni, N. A. (2011). Issues and challenges in cataloguing Arabic books in Malaysia academic libraries. Education for Information,28(2-4), 102-111. doi:10.3233/efi-2010-0898
• MacDonald, K. I., & vanDuinkerken, W. (2015). Libraries surviving as entrepreneurial organizations: A creative destruction perspective. New Library World, 116(7/8), 406-419. doi:10.1108/NLW-01-2015-0005
• Rao, K. N., & Babu, K. (2001). Role of Librarian in Internet and World Wide Web Environment. Informing Science: The International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline,4, 025-034. doi:10.28945/554
• Wynne, S. C., & Hanscom, M. J. (2011). The Effect of Next-Generation Catalogs on Catalogers and Cataloging Functions in Academic Libraries. Cataloging & Classification Quarterly,49(3), 179-207. doi:10.1080/01639374.2011.559899