OCLC @ ALA
June 27 – July 2, 2024
Friday, June 28
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
San Diego Convention Center, Room 28 ABC
OCLC cataloging community
Cynthia Whitacre, Senior Metadata Operations Manager, OCLC
Kate James, Program Coordinator, Metadata Engagement, OCLC
Anna Jones, Senior Community Manager, OCLC
Alex Kyrios, Senior Dewey Editor, OCLC
Jeff Mixter, Senior Product Manager, OCLC
Anne Washington, Product Analyst, OCLC
The OCLC cataloging community meeting is an opportunity for cataloging members to share information on pertinent cataloging topics, along with Q&A and exchange of information concerning cataloging in WorldCat between OCLC metadata quality staff, OCLC cataloging product staff, and catalogers from OCLC member libraries. Join your colleagues for this enlightening session.
Saturday, June 29
9:00 – 10:00 am
Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Indigo Ballroom C
Simple steps to increase your library’s visibility to web users
Laura Turner, Associate Dean, Head of Collections, Access and Discovery, Copley Library, University of San Diego
Jill Jones, Senior Product Manager, OCLC
Traditional communication channels and library websites reach only a small number of current and potential users when most people turn to search engines and nonlibrary websites for answers to their questions. This means users might have trouble finding resources, despite library effort and investment. Discover how libraries can use OCLC services they may already have to reach increasingly diverse communities, and how they can expand user engagement beyond physical and virtual library locations to meet information seekers on the open web. Presenters will share suggestions that library staff can take to increase their libraries’ visibility to people in their communities and beyond.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Marriott Marquis, Grand Ballroom Section 06
Transforming metadata: Getting ready for AI
Charlene Chou, Head of Knowledge Access, New York University
Hannah Scates Kettler, Associate University Librarian for Academic Services, Iowa State University
Richard Urban, Senior Program Manager, OCLC
Merrilee Proffitt, Senior Manager, OCLC Research Library Partnership, and session moderator
OCLC’s Transforming Metadata series connects you with emerging trends in the world of next-generation metadata standards, services, and platforms. This ALA session explores how we are getting ready for AI. Our panelists will share examples of building staff confidence with AI concepts and resources to avoid potential risks. You’ll also hear how OCLC is benefiting libraries through responsible AI-powered metadata management workflows and user experiences.
11:30 am – 12:20 pm
ALA exhibits floor, Pop Top Stage B
Public libraries in action
Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Ph.D., Executive Director, OCLC Research
Andrew Harbison, Director, WebJunction
Public library staff are developing and offering new ways of experiencing the library. Join us to hear how public library leaders and staff in the US and Canada are partnering with community members and agencies at the local, regional, national, and international levels in broadening the library space—both physical and virtual—to address community priorities. We’ll also discuss training opportunities to better prepare library staff to meet community needs.
1:00 – 2:30 pm
Marriott Marquis, Grand Ballroom Section 10
Public library research opportunities: Reflecting and planning for the future
Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Ph.D., Executive Director, OCLC Research
Kelvin Watson, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, NV
Amy Stone, Bridgton Public Library, ME
Stacey Aldrich, State Library of Hawaii
David Johnson, Fayetteville Public Library, AR
In the wake of social, economic, and public health challenges that have fundamentally changed public libraries and their communities, OCLC Research has developed a public library research agenda. Shaped in part by focus group interviews, this agenda aims to identify topics that warrant research to better align public libraries with their communities. We’ll share high-level themes and ways to apply the research agenda to strategic planning, staffing, and community-centered programming. You’ll have time to reflect on how the findings apply to your library. And, in small-group facilitated discussions, you can share challenges and successes with your colleagues.
2:30 – 3:30 pm
San Diego Convention Center, Room 23 ABC
Experience OCLC Meridian: WorldCat Entities linked data creation and curation
Jeff Mixter, Senior Product Manager, OCLC
Anne Washington, Product Analyst, OCLC
Serving as the foundation for our shared entity management infrastructure, WorldCat Entities enables greater data interoperability and connections across a variety of both traditional and linked data formats. Supporting this array of data formats allows libraries and researchers to experience the benefits of linked data today, without making dramatic changes to existing systems, workflows, or behaviors. With OCLC Meridian and a suite of accompanying APIs, libraries can create and manage WorldCat Entities when and where needed. Our expert panel will discuss the application of these linked data entities and share key use cases while demonstrating the first-of-its-kind service.
Sunday, June 30
8:30 – 10:00 am
Marriott Marquis, Marina Salon D
OCLC resource sharing community breakfast
Peter Collins, Director of Resource Sharing, OCLC
Brynne Norton, Head, Resource Sharing & Reserves, University of Maryland Libraries
Renna Tuten Redd, Director of Collections Strategies; Collections Sharing & Delivery Librarian, Clemson University
Stephanie Spires, Chief Operations and Service Officer, Atlas Systems, Inc.
Dennis Massie, Senior Program Officer, OCLC Research and moderator
Join us for breakfast to celebrate the 2024 RUSA STARS Awards recipients. Peter Collins, Director of Resource Sharing, will share OCLC's latest product enhancements and upcoming initiatives. Hear success stories from community members and engage in roundtable discussions on resource sharing topics. Your participation and feedback are invaluable as a member of the world's largest resource sharing network.
2:30 – 3:30 pm
San Diego Convention Center, Room 1B
Insights to action: Evaluating collections and extending them through shared print partnerships
Jason Price, Director of License and Open Access Services, SCELC
Linda Wobbe, Assistant Director for eJournal Relations and Shared Print, SCELC
Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Ph.D., Executive Director Research, OCLC
Sean Duffy, Product Manager, Choreo Insights, OCLC
Choreo Insights, an innovative library analytics solution, enables libraries to analyze the data that’s critical for efficient and progressive collection management. Join us to learn how libraries are using this solution to align library resources with key programs on campus; support accreditation; identify strengths and development areas; and assess diversity. Presenters from the Statewide California Electronic Library Consortia (SCELC) will share how they leveraged Choreo Insights to evaluate their collections and research other unique collections, leading to new shared print partnerships.