Revealing Library Collections: NSLA Re-Imagining Libraries Project 8--Description and Cataloguing

One of the most exciting developments to occur within the library profession in recent years has been the re-evaluation of library's role in resource discovery in the web environment. This has involved recognition of short-comings of online library catalogues, a re-affirmation of the importance of metadata and a new focus on the wealth of information held in library collections. Digital technology now offers incredible opportunities to reveal library collections and to make new discoveries about them. However, a fundamental problem remains. Many of library's important and unique collections cannot be discovered using search services in common use because they have not been processed and described. They languish, unappreciated and unused, hidden behind institution walls. In July 2009, the National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA) group released the Re-imagining Library Services Strategic Plan which outlines ways in which the member libraries will collaborate to adopt new opportunities in service delivery. There are nine projects in the Re-imagining Libraries strategic plan. The Description and Cataloguing Project--known as Project 8--was established in October 2008. In this article, the author outlines six action areas of the Description and Cataloguing Project.