Jenn Zuccaro and Michelle Turvey-Welch, PPC Co-Chairs

The NASIG 2024 Program Planning Committee (PPC) is hard at work scheduling conference workshops and concurrent sessions. We want to thank the many individuals who took the time to submit concurrent session proposals as the process was competitive with more ideas than slots. 

NASIG members have many interests. And those interests are reflected in the conference programming. Topics this year include BIBFRAME, seamless access, transformative agreements, artificial intelligence, DEI around metadata, and a Star Wars-themed musical on the future of data to name a few. A full list of concurrent sessions and workshops may be found in Sched at https://nasig2024.sched.com. 

Back by popular demand are the workshops. Workshops will be held Tuesday, June 4 through Thursday, June 6, 2024, during the mornings of the conference. Unlike pre-conferences or post conferences offered in the past, workshops are included in your NASIG regular registration -- a great value! Workshops are longer format allowing for deeper dives into topics. Below are the confirmed workshops.

Workshops

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Facing Challenges: Crafting Effective Policies for the Reconsideration of Library Materials
Cris Ferguson, Murray State University

Challenges to library materials have increased dramatically in the last several years.  This interactive workshop will help library personnel and collection decision makers navigate the complex landscape of challenges and the reconsideration of library materials. The workshop will incorporate information about the current attitudes towards the reconsideration of library materials, including statistics, information on legislation, and case studies.  In the hands-on portion of the session, attendees will collaboratively explore and analyze reconsideration policies from academic, public, and K-12 libraries to gain valuable insights and tools for developing policies tailored to their institutions.  Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the merits of challenge policies and begin drafting a challenge policy for their own library.  Topics such as stakeholders, policies, forms, and procedures will all be discussed. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in collaborative learning, and leave with the confidence to address challenges to materials in your library.

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Introduction to Serials Cataloging, Part 1
Steve Shadle, University of Washington

This workshop provides the basic principles of original and copy cataloging of print serials with a focus on the elements contained in the RDA CONSER Standard Record (CSR), including appropriate MARC 21 tagging, as well as problem-solving and decision-making relative to serials cataloging. The specific goals of the workshop are to:

• Understand the concept of continuing resources
• Identify serials and distinguish them from monographs and integrating resources
• Become familiar with MARC tags used for serials
• Create original serials cataloging records
• Identify appropriate serial copy and needed edits
• Become familiar with current serials cataloging conventions and practices
  

Building and Evaluating User Driven Collections
Matthew Jabaily, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

User driven acquisitions programs, including demand driven acquisitions (DDAs) and evidence based acquisitions (EBAs), have evolved from experiments to central methods of building collections at many academic libraries. Although user driven collections decenter librarians, there are still many questions about how much control librarians can or should have in shaping collections, which librarians should be doing this work, and how these decisions impact collections in the short and long term. The presenter will give a background on various forms of user driven collections and share experiences and examples from the EBAs and DDAs at his institution. A majority of the workshop will be spent in small group activities that focus on the practical aspects of administering and evaluating user driven programs and discussions about how to align collections to institution goals and values. While the primary focus of the session will be on eBooks, user driven acquisitions of streaming videos, journal articles, and print books will also be discussed.

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Introduction to Serials Cataloging, Part 2
Steve Shadle, University of Washington

This workshop provides the basic principles of original and copy cataloging of print serials with a focus on the elements contained in the RDA CONSER Standard Record (CSR), including appropriate MARC 21 tagging, as well as problem-solving and decision-making relative to serials cataloging. The specific goals of the workshop are to:

• Understand the concept of continuing resources
• Identify serials and distinguish them from monographs and integrating resources
• Become familiar with MARC tags used for serials
• Create original serials cataloging records
• Identify appropriate serial copy and needed edits
• Become familiar with current serials cataloging conventions and practices
  

Starting Somewhere: Meaningful Micro-assessments for Library Collections
Helen McManus, George Mason University

This workshop is for library workers who want to get started on collection assessment, but who may not have the resources to launch large projects or programs. The workshop will guide participants through designing and acting on micro-assessment projects for library collections. A micro-assessment is a small collection assessment project aligned with your resources and your organizational priorities. It is tightly scoped and time-bound, designed to inform a specific collections decision or strategy. A thoughtfully designed micro-assessment can offer both actionable insights into your collections and valuable learning opportunities for library staff interested in collections work.  

Through instructor-provided case studies and other exercises, workshop participants will practice (1) identifying narrowly focused, action-oriented collection micro-assessment projects; (2) scoping those micro-projects to align with available staff time and expertise; and (3) using small, manageable amounts of data to speak directly to a decision or action. Along the way, participants will learn practical tips for ensuring micro-assessments can also become the building blocks for a larger collection assessment program.  

Workshop activities will include examples of micro-assessments for monograph, journal, and database collections. As a final activity, participants will draft a micro-assessment proposal for their own institutions. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own laptops or other devices.