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ABOUT THE LECTURE:
A MS Word version of the lecture script
is available.
Libraries have prospered because they developed and adopted of
a wide range of standards, guidelines, and community practices
to serve their needs. Broadly speaking, standards reflect vital
community agreements on problems and their solution. The networked
environment, however, is changing the context and use of standards
in libraries. Librarians no longer create and define the terms,
concepts, standards, and technologies that drive library services
and practices.
This lecture examines the nature and role of standards for the
emerging 21st century library. Given the dynamic character of
the networked environment, when are standards appropriate and
how can they be developed in a manner consistent with the volatility
of information technologies and changing library services? What
are the roles and responsibilities of standards developing organizations,
technology vendors, content creators, and librarians for standards?
Do local practices of libraries threaten standards-based resource
sharing and resource access technologies? Can local needs be balanced
with broader library community responsibilities, and how do standards
affect this balance? The speaker's assumption is that adherence
to standards has never been more critical, yet his implementation
experience with Z39.50 and MARC suggests that the commitment to
national and international standards by librarians, technology
vendors, and content creators are often an example of good intentions
rather than actual practice. This standards disconnect threatens
the emerging 21st century library's ability to deliver fundamental
services in appropriate ways to their users.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. William Moen is a Fellow in the Texas Center for Digital
Knowledge, and an Associate Professor in the School of Library
and Information Sciences, University of North Texas. His Ph.D.
is from Syracuse University where he wrote his dissertation on
the development of the Z39.50 information retrieval protocol standard.
He teaches courses on information organization, metadata and networked
information retrieval, and Z39.50. His research program includes
the organization of networked resources; distributed searching
and networked information retrieval; interoperability testing;
and the development and implementation of technical standards.
From November 2001 through August 2003, Dr. Moen was principal
investigator for a project funded by the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission to develop a standards-based virtual library.
The primary focus of the project was to is to define, plan, and
assist in implementation of a Resource Discovery Service for the
Library of Texas. He has served as the chair of the standards
committee for the National information Standards Organization
to develop the American National Standard Z39.50 Profile for Library
Applications. The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded
him a National Leadership Grant for a multi-year project to establish
a Z39.50 interoperability testbed. |