I have been reading the comments here and I am in favor of creating a
list for discussing the next generation catalog/information
system/whatever.  I have been to 2 workshops in the last month where I
have heard 2 people from different universities talk about OCLC being
*THE* interface to the library catalog in the future -- truly a
WorldCat.  I consider myself open to new ideas but this one really
worries me.  And when you look at OCLCs long range plans, they want to
become *THE* library interface.

We need something.  My ILS has decided that their next generation
catalog will be a portal with its own database, etc.  I already have one
database with MARC data why do I need another to hold the non-MARC data.
 Why isn't my ILS working to expand/create the next generation MARC
record?  I think the next generation catalog goes hand and hand with the
next generation of MARC.

--
Michael Bowden
Harrisburg Area Community College



>>> [log in to unmask] 6/5/2006 8:17:07 PM >>>

On Jun 5, 2006, at 7:33 PM, Alexander Johannesen wrote:

> What's wrong with keeping such discussions to this very list? It's
> very on-topic, and I'm not sure I need yet another list (I think I'm
> up to around 30-something now!).


I understand this sentiment. Really!

On the other hand we are a bunch o' hackers, and there is more to
this thing (whatever it is called) than code. We need the perspective
of catalogers, reference types, administrators, vendors, etc. Thus,
the idea for creating a new list.

--
Eric Lease Morgan
University Libraries of Notre Dame

I'm hiring a Senior Programmer Analyst.
See http://dewey.library.nd.edu/morgan/programmer/.