Doing More with More: The UC CONSER Funnel Experience

Abstract

In 2006, with the support of Cooperative Online Serials (CONSER), the University of California (UC) implemented a CONSER Funnel. The Funnel provides an opportunity for serials catalogers across UC campuses to edit CONSER-authenticated Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) master records. This article explores factors that led catalogers among the UC campuses to organize the Funnel, the organizational model developed for the UC CONSER Funnel, the cost/value of the Funnel to its members, and general considerations for implementing and sustaining a Funnel. The article concludes with a discussion of recent developments. Currently, changes in work environment due to Next Generation Melvyl (OCLC WorldCat Local), Web 2.0, and budget cuts are influencing evolution of the Funnel. Will these changes strengthen campus interest in cooperation or diminish the energy needed for this effort?

KEYWORDS:

• CONSER program
• program for cooperative cataloging
• UC CONSER Funnel
• University of California
• Serials cataloging
• cataloging of serial publications
• cooperative cataloging

Notes

1. Some information used in this article is based on a presentation developed by Sarah Gardner (with assistance from Melissa Beck and me) for the NASIG Annual Conference in 2008, “Harnessing the Spider Web”; the presentation was later reported by Lisa S. Blackwell in “Harnessing the Spider Web: Collaborative Serial Maintenance, Challenges and Solutions at UC,” Serials Librarian Serials Librarian 56, no. 1–4 (January/June 2009): 240–245.

2. University of California Dept. of Academic Initiatives, “Major Features of the California Master Plan for Higher Education.” http://www.ucop.edu/acadinit/mastplan/mpsummary.htm (accessed September 9, 2009)

3. University of California, SOPAG Electronic Resources Cataloging Task Force, Introduction [to TFER Report]. http://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/hots/tfer/tferintro.html (accessed September 9, 2009).

4. Bibliographic Services Task Force, Rethinking How We Provide Bibliographic Services for the University of California: Final Report (December 2005), 38.

5. John Riemer, “Thoughts on the Advantages to CONSER Participation from an Administrative Perspective,” December 9, 2005; and Pat French, “UC CONSER Funnel Implementation Plan,” final document, February 16, 2006. http://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/hots/conser/about.html (accessed September 9, 2009).

6. Judy Knop, at the turn of the century, organized libraries within the American Theological Library Association to contribute CONSER records. Reported in: “Summary of the CONSER Operations Committee Meeting, May 2–4, 2001.” http://www.loc.gov/acq/conser/conop2001.html (accessed September 14, 2009).

7. Here's the proof! UC CONSER Funnel avatars, in a training activity led by Esther Grassian and Rhonda Super in the UCLA Second Life Library. http://libraries.universityofcalifornia.edu/hots/conser/secondlife.html (accessed September 14, 2009).