---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 12:44:02 -0400
From: "Jean L. Hirons" <jhir@loc.gov>
Subject: Serials training program initiated

Dear Colleagues,

Last March many of you responded to a survey concerning the need for serials
cataloging instruction.  Your responses made it clear that there is a strong
need for training in serials, particularly basic training and electronic
serials, that can be given locally at  low cost.  Since that time, I have been
working with a dedicated group of serials catalogers and instructors to
develop what we are calling the Serials Cataloging Cooperative Training
Program (SCCTP). The purpose of this message is to inform you of our plans and
progress to date.

Statement of purpose.  The Serials Cataloging Cooperative Training Program
(SCCTP) is committed to increasing the level of knowledge and expertise of
catalogers providing serial records in shared or local databases. The
educational components of the program are designed to be affordable,
authoritative, and effective.  The program will be evaluated on an ongoing
basis to ensure cooperation among sponsoring agencies, ease of administration,
adequate funding, and attainment of educational objectives.

The goals of the program are to:

a.   Provide an ongoing program of serials cataloging instruction for
     participants with varying levels of skills and expertise.

b.   Provide uniform core training materials that are adaptable to meet
     specific user needs.

c.   Provide a pool of trainers comprised of experienced CONSER and other
     serials catalogers.

d.   Provide training that utilizes a variety of delivery methods, such as
     over the Web, teleconferencing, as well as traditional workshop
     settings.

e.   Provide a broader understanding of the CONSER Program, its publications,
     goals, and benefits to all who work with serials.

The program will provide training materials and trained trainers to training
providers, such as OCLC networks, local and regional library associations,
etc.  In this way, the program can focus on the content and the quality of the
training.

A modular approach is envisioned, with training sessions developed over time
that will allow training suppliers to pick and choose the modules of interest.
Each module would specify the number of hours in and out of class that a
trainee would spend on the training.  Out-of-class hours would involve
exercises from the Web.  The development of modules will be based in part on
expressions of interest from trainees.

The first module, or pilot, will address the most pressing needs as identified
by the survey, basic serials cataloging for print and electronic serials.  The
pilot is designed for a classroom, but will also include pre- and post- class
exercises mounted on a website.  The pilot will probably be designed for two
or two and a half days with the ability to expand or collapse to meet the
needs of training providers.  The pilot will be developed during fall 1998,
tested in early winter, and made available during the spring of 1999.

A number of the responses were from institutions located in areas too remote
to make classroom training feasible.  With this in mind, and the fact that
even local training will not always be available, we hope to eventually add
remote classes or the ability to participate in the class remotely.  Other
alternatives for more intensive training will also be explored, such as onsite
residencies.

Trainers will be asked to participate in a train the trainer session, which
will cover presentation skills and techniques for adapting the materials to
suit the needs of the trainees.  A team of two trainers is seen as desirable.
The first session will be held in conjunction with the ALA midwinter
conference in Philadelphia in 1999.  Other sessions will be held in order to
include trainers with a broad regional base.  A separate message will be
posted in August or September requesting names of experienced serials
catalogers who would like to be considered as potential trainers.

The SCCTP is a cooperative endeavor between CONSER, NASIG, ALCTS, OCLC, and
others. The cooperation involves planning and development, as well as funding
and sponsorship.  Members of the steering committee who have developed the
program to date are: Jean Hirons (LC), David Van Hoy (MIT), John Riemer (U.
Georgia), Sharon Mason (U. Nebraska at Kearny), Julia Gammon (U. Akron), Bea
Caraway (Trinity), Beverley Geer (Trinity), Cameron Campbell (U. Chicago), Ann
Ercelawn (Vanderbilt), Patti Fields (FEDLINK), and Thom Saudargas (College
Center for Library Automation).  Sherry Vellucci (St. John's University) and
Lynne Howarth (U. Toronto) have also recently joined.

This is an exciting endeavor and I am very grateful to the hard work of
steering committee members and the support of my colleagues in the Program for
Cooperative Cataloging, in particular Brian Schottlaender (UCLA) and Sally
Sinn (National Agriculture Library), as well as Steve Oberg (U. Chicago and
current president of NASIG), and Karen Muller (ALCTS).  Suggestions and
questions may be sent to me at: jhir@loc.gov.

Jean Hirons
CONSER Coordinator
Library of Congress
jhir@loc.gov