Date: August 9, 2006
Contact: Eric Matanyi
Phone: (708) 534-4044
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: e-matanyi@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, Illinois, August 9, 2006 – Technology continues to affect every aspect of our lives, from the way we communicate to the way we listen to music, and from the way we pay for groceries to the way we access library materials. As a result of technology’s influence, many organizations have begun to rethink their operations.
The Library of Congress recently began an initiative to reassess its approach to bibliographic records. As part of the process, the American Library Association has tapped several library professionals from around the country to serve on a steering committee for this process.
Diane Dates Casey, Dean of Library Services and Academic Computing at Governors State University, was named to a position on the steering committee. The group will plan the national meeting to discuss the Library of Congress’ future bibliographic structure.
“I’m pleased to be a part of this important committee,” said Dates Casey. “Ultimately, changes in the Library of Congress’ system will have implications for libraries nationwide. I’m looking forward to providing an academic perspective from a university point of view.”
The process began in June when Library of Congress officials set goals as part of a strategic plan to find the most productive methods for linking library users to the materials they need. Full-scale evaluation of the bibliographic system will begin in early fall and continue until a comprehensive strategy and recommendations for change are developed.
According to Deanna Marcum, Associate Librarian for Library Services at the Library of Congress, “With the maturity of the Internet and the immediacy it offers to direct content, the Library, along with other research libraries, has determined that it must reassess it approach to providing access to information.”
Governors State University’s library has also been reassessing its operations in light of emerging technology. “Most libraries now offer online access to their collections, but there are many steps that can be taken to make the nation’s libraries even more accessible. Technology continues to evolve and we must adapt our systems to it,” added Dates Casey.
For additional information on library services at Governors State University, call (708) 534-4112 or visit www.govst.edu/library.
