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Cataloging COI

Community of Interest

Cataloging COI Updates - Spring 2025

Summary of the latest updates, best practice suggestions and decisions from the Cataloging COI meetings and discussions:Cataloging COI Updates

  • Discussion about reviewing and updating the OPAL Cataloging Manual. The document will likely evolve into more of a best practices approach since we are moving away from the shared catalog environment. Some of this will be affected by what comes out of the OhioLINK Working Groups. Josh Springer, Hayley Fuhrer, and Lauren Marshall volunteered to start the process by identifying key areas that will be impacted by the migration and need to be changed. 
     
  • Training gaps include written documentation/procedures of sessions broken down into manageable sections. A focus on small institutions and solo librarians who don't have a departmentalized workflow will be the most helpful.
     
  • Import profiles can be created in Alma to allow for batch record loading and creating holdings and item records, which would more closely align with current practice. There will be opportunities to explore and implement those options after go-live.
     
  • Some libraries are planning to use the SpineOmatic cloud app and print from Alma, but many will continue with OCLC or manual label printing (depending on volume and call number schema used). Benefit of the cloud app is that you can make adjustments right in the app or type in a label on the fly. 
     
  • Lauren shared that the Training Working Group is not currently generating original documentation but rather identifying the best resources from available information, planning the future of Ostaff, and identifying gaps that need to be addressed with training going forward. It would be helpful to have a list of the labels that should be changed for a better user experience.
     
  • Request for training around Primo CSS customization because Primo Studio is limited and tends to apply darker versions of colors than is selected. Matt noted that the logos can be tricky depending on their size. The Discovery WG is also collecting examples of coding for posting in Ostaff eventually. We will aim for a summer training session. 
     
  • Next meeting: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 10 am  - Virtual. 

The full meeting minutes can be found under the Meeting Documents tab.

Statement of Purpose

The Cataloging COI establishes and maintains standards, policies, and procedures that ensure high quality bibliographic records in the OPAL online catalog. The Cataloging COI recommends policies for record selections, input, and deletion, in accord with OhioLINK directives, and plans and implements modifications to catalog records in response to changes in accepted cataloging practices and system enhancements.

Policies and procedures are developed in consultation with the OhioNet Director of Technology Services and are published and maintained in an online cataloging manual. The COI also serves as an advisory body to the Directors’ Council, works in collaboration with other OPAL groups with shared interests, and regularly disseminates its work through OPAL communication channels.