Cataloging Communications
Minitex Bibliographic and Technical Services (BATS) provides important announcements and updates related to technical services.
Below you will find links to our various print and electronic communications.
In addition, you will find links to other useful communication resources from the cataloging community such as electronic discussion lists, blogs, and podcasts.
Minitex Cataloging Communications
Minitex OCLC Contacts
We send out information about Minitex sponsored training related to
OCLC products, cataloging, and digitization and metadata. We also
push out information about changes or enhancements to OCLC products
and services. We recommend that at least one primary staff person at
each institution in the region subscribe to this listserv.
Minitex/OCLC Mailing
A monthly publication containing announcements, explanations, procedures, and technical information about OCLC services,
systems, and products. It includes sections targeted at Cataloging, Resource Sharing, Digital Projects, and Reference staff
as well as items of general interest.
Minitex Blog About Technical Services
A place to stay on top of current topics and future trends in technical services. We often post pictures and reviews
from our site visits to libraries and archives here.
Minitex BATS Twitter Account
A very efficient and easy way we update you on topics like new Minitex training offerings, other training and continuing
education opportunities in the region and beyond related to technical services, and Resource Description and Access (RDA).
If you have never used Twitter, view a short tutorial we have created. It will introduce you to Twitter and guide
you through how to find and follow us so you can receive announcements.
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Blogs and Podcasts
Blogs
While a handful of blogs are dedicated solely to presenting cataloging
issues, there are a number of others that touch upon that field from
time to time. The list below includes a cross section of both.
Though not exhaustive, these blogs represent the wide spectrum of
cataloging news and opinion available on the web.
General Blogs
Metadata and Systems Blogs
Other Blogs
Podcasts and Webinars
Some of the podcasts and webinars below include separate audio and video files.
Aggregators
These sites draw together various cataloging- and library-dedicated blog posts, library news
headlines, and other items of interest to the library field.
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Electronic Discussion Lists
General Discussion Lists
AUTOCAT
The most popular discussion list on library cataloging. Topics also touch upon related matters
such as circulation and physical processing of materials.
OCLC-CAT
An active electronic forum concentrating on cataloging issues, OCLC services and tools, and other
topics of interest among the OCLC membership. Occasional official announcements from OCLC staff also
appear.
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Special Interest Discussion Lists
MARC
Questions on the employment of the MARC21 standards and announcements from the Machine-Readable
Bibliographic Information (MARBI) Committee populate this list.
OLAC-L
A popular electronic list for catalogers specializing in audiovisual materials. Announcements and
information concerning the Online Audiovisual Catalogers (OLAC) organization are issued on occasion.
RDA-L
A forum for discussion on Resource Description and Access (RDA), the new cataloging code and
successor to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition (AACR2).
SACOLIST
A low-traffic list devoted to Library of Congress (LC) subject heading and LC classification use in
library cataloging. The list is open to SACO members and non-members alike. Summary postings by the
Weekly Subject Editorial Review Meeting on new classification numbers and heading subdivisions appear
each week; included are pedagogical reports on rejected subject heading proposals.
SERIALIST
Subscribers to this list participate in a steady stream of discussion on a variety of serials issues
such as cataloging, binding and preservation, and collection development.
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Local Interest Discussion Lists
Minitex-News
This announcement list provides news of interest to libraries in the Minitex region, including reports
on future training workshops and webinars.
MnPALS-Discuss
An electronic list open to MnPALS and participating library staff that offers a platform for discussion on
a wide range of consortial matters.
MTX-RDA
This list is dedicated to conversation and announcements concerning local implementation issues surrounding
RDA. It is open to all interested parties in the Minitex region.
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