ALCTS Technical Services Directors of Large Research Libraries Interest Group
University of Pennsylvania Libraries Update – June 2015
Strategic Planning
The Penn Libraries published its Strategic Plan for 2015-2017 in June 2014. The plan is
available at:
https://project.library.upenn.edu/confluence/display/libstratplan/Welcome.
The Libraries are implementing this plan using a Balanced Scorecard approach to
tracking progress on the plan. The draft scorecard was released in May 2015 and is
available at:
https://project.library.upenn.edu/confluence/display/libstratplan/Penn+Libraries+Balan
ced+Scorecard
Kuali OLE
Penn continues active participation in the Kuali OLE (Open Library Environment)
development project (http://www.kuali.org/ole). Version 1.6.0 was released in May
2015 and is in production at Chicago, Lehigh and SOAS (University of London). Penn is
planning for a July 2016 implementation and is currently launching our implementation
teams.
Summon/360 Link implementation
Penn is in the process of implementing Summon and 360Link from ProQuest. In May
2015, we implemented 360 Link as our OpenURL link resolver (replacing SFX). We
continue to use the name PennText for this service. In late June, Penn will introduce a
new, expanded Franklin interface called Franklin:Discovery. Franklin:Discovery will
provide access to the resources in Franklin catalog, but will also include Summon
(branded as Articles+) to allow search and retrieval of full text of articles, all in a single
interface. https://pennlibnews.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/introducing-a-new-andexpanded-franklin/
OPenn
The Penn Libraries recently launched OPenn: Primary Digital Resources Available to
Everyone (http://openn.library.upenn.edu ), a new website that provides digitized
cultural heritage materials. OPenn is a major step in the Libraries’ strategic initiative to
embrace open data and democratize access to information, with all images and
metadata on this site available as free cultural works, making them accessible to be
freely studied, applied, copied, or modified by anyone, for any purpose.
https://pennlibnews.wordpress.com/2015/05/01/openn-primary-digital-resourcesavailable-to-all-through-penn-libraries-new-online-platform/
Gotham Book Mart Collection
The Gotham Book Mart Collection was donated to the Penn Libraries in 2008
(http://www.library.upenn.edu/news/540), a year after the landmark New York City
independent bookstore closed its doors. The current project to catalog this massive
collection was started in April of last year. To date 46,116 volumes and 10,468 individual
serial pieces have been cataloged. These statistics were achieved by using macros and
constant data to insert repetitive metadata into the collections’ bibliographic records.
The team follows a selection criteria set forth by the curators to retain the most unique
items, representative of the bookstore’s holdings, while culling duplicates and items
that do not fit Penn Libraries’ collection goals. Along the way items of interest are
added to a Tumblr page (http://gotham-bookmart-project.tumblr.com/), built by the
project staff, which has led to further social media interest in the collection.
DDA
Penn has expanded the use of demand-driven acquisitions (DDA) with several recent
projects:
• Kanopy: Penn has recently started a DDA plan for streaming videos, including
Criterion films, the MEF collection, California Newsreel, New Day films, and
Psychotherapy.net. DDA videos can be embedded into Canvas for classroom
use.
• YBP (Biomedical): Penn has implemented a new manual DDA program through
YBP for Biomedical materials. The bibliographer has the option of designating ebook titles from EBSCO and ebrary as “manual DDA.” We receive a weekly file of
the discovery records.
• Borrow Direct Engineering DDA Pilot: This was an effort to explore new models
of building a shared research collection, with seven Borrow Direct libraries
participating. The pilot began in December of 2014 and ran for one year. 465
records were loaded into the catalog over the course of the pilot. A total of 123
titles were triggered for purchase (48 titles in FY 14 and 75 titles in FY 15).
Dewey Projects
Projects to reclassify to LC all books selected to remain on-campus were completed in
Feb. 2015 (including nearly 19,000 literature and over 10,000 history). The remaining
Dewey collections will be transferred to the LIBRA storage facility. As some of the oldest
materials in the general collections, many items need recon or updated cataloging –this
will be a multi-year project.
Kislak Center for Special Collections, Phase 3
The final phase of Kislak renovations will begin in early August 2015. Construction will
be completed in April 2016, with occupancy in May/ June 2016. Phase 3 will include two
Closed Stack boxes with new shelving and a Conservation Lab. Book moves to
accommodate this construction have started.
Personnel
• Metadata Services and Original Cataloging Coordinator position has been posted
at: https://jobs.hr.upenn.edu/postings/11289
• Sarah Marchman was hired as Head of Monographic Acquisitions. She replaced
Jan Lentz, who retired.
• Kathleen Burlingame was hired as the Electronic Access and Discovery Librarian.
• Bill Bovino retired as the Head of Original Cataloging.
• Brian Provenzale resigned as the Head of E-Resources+Serials Cataloging.
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Jon Shaw was hired as Director of Logistics and Access Services. He replaced Bob
Krall, who retired.
Library Technology was reorganized. Joe Zucca was named as Director of
Strategic Initiatives & Library Technology Services. Mike Winkler was named
Director for Digital Partnerships.
Richard Griscom was named Acting Director of Collection Development,
Scholarly Communications and Global Studies. He replaced Martha Brogan, who
resigned.
Kim Eke was hired as Director of Teaching, Research & Learning Services.