AFRICANA SUBJECT FUNNEL REPORT
ALC CATALOGING COMMITTEE
SPRING 2000
The following subject headings have been proposed since the last update (Fall 1999)For the first 5 months of this year LC has received 7 new subject proposals and in FY99 LC received 22 new headings, no changes, and no classification numbers... I also want to thank you for your help in the development of the African-American subject funnel. By contacting Dorothy Washington at Purdue you make it all possible.
AFRO-AMERICAN SUBJECT FUNNEL from Dorothy Washington
The results of the African American Funnel survey are below. In the Executive Meeting, we decided to establish a Discussion Group for Cataloging Issues within AFAS. A discussion group helps to expedite the attempt to organize since a Standing Committee requires approval of the Executive Committee. It was suggested that Dorothy Washington organize the group. As Vice Chair/Chair Elect of the African American Studies Librarians Section (AFAS), it would also be within Dorothy Washington's responsibilities to appoint the chair of the group. It was agreed that the discussion group will be open to individuals who are not members of AFAS, ACRL or ALA but are concerned with improving access to African American materials. In the Membership Meeting, the body accepted the Executive Board suggestions. It was agreed that AFAS move forward with organizing the African American Funnel Project and scheduling training sessions.
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES LIBRARIANS SECTION
ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MIDWINTER MEETING, JANUARY 15, 2000
REPORT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN FUNNEL PROJECT
AFRICAN AMERICAN SUBJECT HEADINGS FUNNEL PROJECT SURVEY
The African American Studies and Librarians Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries is considering collaborating with the Library of Congress in a funnel project for African American subject headings. As a part of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging, participants in the African American subject headings funnel project will be able to suggest, revise and create new headings relating to the African American experience. Such activity would provide an opportunity for librarians interested in African American resources to become directly involved with improving access to pertinent materials. A survey report of a similar project organized by the Africana Librarians Council of the African Studies Association is available at:
As suggested during the Membership Meeting at the ALA Annual Conference 1999, the purpose of this survey is to determine if there is an interest among the membership to organize a funnel project and the number of catalogers who are AFAS members. We request that you complete the survey below and forward to:
Dorothy Ann Washington, 1100 3rd Street, West
Lafayette, IN 47906 or
dawashington@hfs.purdue.edu
1. Are you a member of the African American Studies and Librarians Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries? Yes 27 No 11
2. Do you think a funnel project for African American subject headings would be beneficial for users of your collection?
Yes 32
Not sure 1
Blank 3
N/A 1
Maybe 1
Why or Why not?
These changes will be used in conjunction with the Library of Congress Subject Headings.
As a librarian, teacher, and user, I have seen and experience the complication when searching for African American subject materials. I feel not only would my present Library but all Libraries would benefit.
To keep with evolving terms.
Because our Arabic subject headings do not provide for such topics.
L.C. Subject Headings are currently confusing.
Because of unique attributes of African Americans
It helps to have current and relevant subject headings that discuss areas of African-American life. The number of books and articles that are being written today continue to increase and patrons need access with relevant terms
Because if successful, it should create better access. I think we should also work on better name authority control
Insufficient and misleading LC subject headings currently in use
The current LCSH do not accurately reflect what terms the general public uses
Yes, although our library does not have a specific collection in African American studies at the present time, it is possible that we will in the future
It would be helpful to our faculty and students doing research in African American Studies
Users do not use the same vocabulary as LCSH when researching African American history and culture
Because AFAS librarians who work closely with African American materials and published works, and those patrons of such are best able to develop subject terms
LCSHs are confusing and arcane
Because of the spirit of the Indexing Project, spearheaded by Dr. Clack, a project like this continues the struggle for correct subject headings concerning the Pan-African community
To reflect a more accurate picture of African-Americans
Logical
As a former Ph.D. student of American History, specializing in African American women, subject headings related tot he African American experience would be most helpful to researchers and students
African American students and faculty could more readily identify subjects that encompass the African American experience
Not sure
Subject headings that reflect the current language of users would be beneficial; Keyword searches help work around outdated subject headings, but keyword searches do not solve the problems of outdated and/or inaccurate headings
It would make the collection more accessible for students The more the better
Most users do not use subject headings; they do keyword searching
While I think it might be beneficial for librarians, the benefit to users might be difficult to discern
Improve access to the body of literature
3. Do you think AFAS is the appropriate organization to coordinate such a project?
Yes 35
Blank 2
Play a part 1
If not AFAS then who?
Yes and no. I feel incorporating the powers that be that will support and make this project a success and not a start and then put to the side project, inclusion needs to be considered
People who catalogue African American materials
Section should play a leading role
BCALA and perhaps ASA Africana librarians. BCALA has larger body and broader mandate
If we have enough interested members committed to the project
4. Do you think a Cataloging Committee should be established within AFAS for the coordination of this project? (membership would not be restricted to catalogers)
Yes 32
No 3
Blank 3
Should not be restricted to catalogers
Cataloger will probably implement the project but reference and collection development librarians are working with the patrons and materials every day and are very aware of terminology
Any other ideas or suggestions for ways to organize?
Committee should have sub-committees which allow membership by those NOT in cataloging. This would expand ideas
The committee should consist of Reference (Public Service Librarians) and catalogers
Adhoc cataloging/project committee
Create the task force within the structure of AFAS and the president appoints a chair or co-chairs and there be a call for participation on the AFAS listserv and the AFAS newsletter
Perhaps USER representation might be appropriate, as members of African-American Studies Association, etc.
An AFAS committee could organize and communicate with LC, but AFAS should include non-AFAS, ALA members in the project if we can identify key people with expertise in the subject
Instead of cataloging how about subject access or subject heading or word access committee not cataloging, not inclusive enough
Through BCALA to include public libraries and special collections in Black Studies
Include librarians of African American collections that are not members of AFAS, ACRL, or ALA
5. Indicate your area of responsibility. Please be specific e.g. reference, cataloging, acquisitions, department head or administration (technical services or public service background)
My area of responsibility includes reference, public service, collection development, print & electronic, instruction, html designer, and etc.
Assistant Director with Technical Services background
Head of Technical Services/Archives
Cataloging (2)
Cataloging, but I also have experience in public libraries reference work
I am a cataloging librarian and also work reference both weekends and at assigned times during the week
Reference/Cataloging
Reference (8)
Reference and Subject Bibliographer for African American Studies and Biological Sciences
Reference, collection development, instruction, Public Services
Reference, Acquisitions, Department Head, and Public Services for a branch/campus library
Reference, Department Head, Administration, Public Service; now retired
Reference, administration
Reference and community relations
Reference and collection development
Reference, interlibrary loan 50% Outreach for consortium 50%
Reference, acquisition, and collection development
Administration (3)
Department Head/collection development
Assistant Director of Libraries for Public Services
Professor of Library Science
Interlibrary Loan
Library Director
Manager of Special Projects (Outreach Activities)
Administration-Director
Public Service
6. Please check the type of collection for which you have primary responsibility.
9 African Studies
11 African American Studies
7 Caribbean Studies
4 General
Professor of Library Science
No specific area since I am in Technical Services. I catalog all the music/AV/computer files and special materials, etc.
Latin America
Education; Exercise & Sports Science
Health Sciences
Appalachian Studies
Women's Studies & Writing Program Librarian
Have specialized in each service area in public libraries, all levels of public school libraries and at the University library -- all levels
7. Are you willing to participate in the funnel project (participation is not restricted to membership in AFAS or ALA)?
Yes 23
No 10
Not at this time 3
Blank 2
8. Do you attend ALA and Midwinter conferences on a regular basis?
15 Annual & Midwinter
7 Annual
1 Midwinter
N/A 1
No 10 ( No, but I will for this project)
Blank 4
9. Will you be willing to attend training sessions for participants?
ALA Annual 6 Midwinter 5
Maybe somewhere in the South
At Indiana University or Chicago (ALA headquarters)
Will be willing to travel to attend training
I am open to suggestions as far as venue for training, but over the Internet is a suggestion I would like to offer at this time
Regional site in Atlanta or the Southeast
Atlanta (2)
10. If you are a cataloger, please indicate the number of years of experience as a cataloger.
1, 5, 7 1/2, 20, 21, 30
Not cataloger 3 (one indicated that they do not currently catalog but cataloging is their first love)
Blank 21
N/A 7
11. If you are not a cataloger but have cataloged in previous positions, please indicate the number of years of experience as a cataloger. 3, 20+, 2, 3, 4, 14
None 1
/A 8
Blank 23
12. Have you participated in other Participants Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) programs before?
____BIBCO__2___NACO ____SACO
No 19
Blank 17
13. Please indicate any previous training you have had.
Blank 25
None 4
I am in library school
None except Library School catalog courses
I have training in indexing -- USDA indexing course
Many training courses in library and documentation in Egypt and France as well as in computerized library systems
Trained in cataloging and subject analysis by Professor Clack
Trained to index materials using Medical Subject Headings at the National Library of Medicine. MA in History and worked towards Ph.D in American History, specializing in African American Women. I am not a trained cataloger but I would be very willing to assist with the project, which I think is an important project
None in cataloging, besides library school assignments and some copy cataloging in a paraprofessional position in the late 80s, 89-92
Drexel Univ. 1957
Attended a Name Authority Workshop sponsored by the Library of Congress and RTSD during the 1980s; Coordinated Authority Control Workshop for library faculty in the University Library at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda in 1995 (Dr. Doris H. Clack conducted the workshop)
Thank you for your time in completing this survey.
Thank you!
Good idea!
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES LIBRARIANS SECTION
ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES
CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
The African American Studies Librarians Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries has established a discussion group to consider issues toward improving access to African American resources. An initial focus of the group is an African American Funnel Project in collaboration with the Library of Congress. Participants in the group will be able to suggest, revise or create headings relating to the African American experience. Participation is not restricted to catalogers nor ALA, ACRL, or AFAS members. The Library of Congress has agreed to provide training sessions toward such activity. A basic session on the Library of Congress Subject Headings is planned for ALA Annual Conference 2000 in Chicago. For more information on the SACO workshops visit the PCC website:
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/sacowkshops.htm
We will also hold the first meeting of the Discussion Group for Cataloging Issues at Chicago. You will be notified of the place and time. If you would like to be a part of this very exciting and dynamic project, please complete the form below and return to Dorothy Ann Washington, 1100 3rd Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47906 or email at dawashington@hfs.purdue.edu.
Name:
Address:
Phone: (Work)
Email:
Will you be attending ALA Annual Conference, 2000 in Chicago?
Do you wish to participate in the workshop?