New Web site on cataloging

Information Outlook, March, 2005

The Library of Congress has launched a Web-based learning center to promote core competency curriculum development for cataloging practitioners.

The Cataloger's Learning Workshop (www.loc.gov/catworkshop) is a cataloging and metadata training resource portal that features a discussion group, links to cataloging training providers and publishers, online training courses, and suggested readings in bibliographic control. It is hosted by the Cataloging Distribution Service (CDS) of the Library of Congress.

The workshop grew out of an effort that began at the 2000 Library of Congress conference "Bibliographic Control for the New Millennium." Conferees produced an action plan with several ambitious goals, such as providing appropriate training and education to improve bibliographic control of Web resources.

A number of groups have been working with the Library of Congress to bring the Cataloger's Learning Workshop to reality, including the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS), a division of the American Library Association, and the Program for Cooperative Cataloging.

A number of workshops and curricula are being developed in Web bibliographic control training and continuing education. Training materials distribution is handled by CDS, while workshop organization and support logistics are managed through ALCTS and other organizations.