Future role of cataloguers 2011 survey data

The survey was designed to assist the investigators in gaining an understanding of the future role of the cataloguing specialisation within the library profession. The data was originally collected to assist in the production of a conference paper for the Australian Library and Information Associations 5th New Librarians Symposium (NLS5); Metamorphosis: what will you become today.

The survey asked respondents several questions; including : Do you believe the traditional skills of cataloguers are transferable to other roles, for example metadata creation and analysis, search interface development, and reference services?; Do you believe that library courses need to change their curriculum to become more relevant to employers of cataloguers?; Do you believe there will be a role for cataloguers in the future?

Cataloguers: the new endangered species

While cataloguing has always been a traditional librarian specialisation it has been questioned whether librarians and their professional skills are still needed to perform such tasks. This paper revisits the question of the future evolution and/or possible extinction of cataloguing and cataloguers and asks is there a role for cataloguers’ skills in the future? What will those roles look like? How do we prepare future librarians for these roles? These question will be answered by sharing Lesa Maclean’s personal transformation from cataloguer to metadata specialist, a common transformation today; examination of a selection of literature from the last decade; as well as results of original research into the perceptions of the future role of cataloguers, based on a survey. Results support the view that cataloguers are ensuring their own survival in the future by taking on a proactive role in today’s information society.

Proud to be a public librarian

A public librarian discusses her work experience at Wyndham Library Service which developed her public relations and conversation skill.

The passion of NLS4

A new librarian highlights the importance of ALIA's New Librarian's Symposium by discussing what it personally meant to her.