Morphing
Metadata: Automated Support for Cataloging Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Sevim McCutcheon, Kent
State University
Abstract: In Ohio universities,
electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) are replacing print as the required
format for thesis and dissertation submission. This creates a challenge for
librarians in terms of finding the means and time to provide access to yet another
type of material. Kent State University has created a highly automated process
to load preliminary records for ETDs into its KentLINK catalog as soon as the
EDT is available at the OhioLINK EDT Center, thus providing nearly instant access
to these resources. The process retrieves metadata from the Center, reformats
it, sends it to KentLINK, and notifies the cataloger via email. The cataloger
then exports the preliminary record into an OCLC Connexion Client save file.
The preliminary record serves as the basis for a full MARC record, created according
to state-wide standards established by OhioLINK member libraries. The full WorldCat
record then overlays the KentLINK preliminary record. By exploiting technology
to input the routine descriptive portion of bibliographic records, staff time
is freed to concentrate on the intellectually challenging portion, full subject
analysis and classification. This efficiency maximizes user access to Kent State
University’s intellectual contribution of graduate student research. The
process will be explained, and sample records will be available.