A Feasibility Study on the Implementation of Taiwan''s Professional Competencies Certification for Catalogers

• Main Authors: Lan-Yu Wang, 王嵐渝
• Other Authors: Huei-Chu Chang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/34849723659870857055

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 圖書資訊學研究所 === 103 === The purpose of this study is to explore the opinions of cataloging related people about the implementation of Taiwan''s professional competencies certification for catalogers with feasible projects and suggestions. This study used qualitative method and in-depth interview to understand fifteen participates’ opinions. Interviewees are divided into five types：cataloging managers, library catalogers, representatives of Taiwan Teaching ＆Learning Research Center’s experts and catalog outsource vendors. This study reveals that, there are seven reasons for implementing certification：I. It helps improve library’s bibliographic records and union catalog qualities；II. It can be a reference for recruiting catalogers；III. It’s helpful for enhancing cataloging capabilities and boosting professional self-affirmation；IV. It saves time for training new catalogers；V. It encourages people who want to be a cataloger；VI. It promotes library and librarians’ images；VII. It’s the duty of Library and Information Science to put into practices. Besides, the policies through the relevant set up legislations can make certification more authoritative and credible. Also, striving for supports from industry, government, academics and research is vital. In addition, it should establish professional competencies standards before implementing the certification. The certification should have time bound, and be valid for three to five years. The issues of long term sustainability and operations should be considerate. The procedures and approaches to obtain certification must be easy and meet attendant’s needs. The certification examination could adopt online method. Rating is unsuitable for the certification system in the beginning. Furthermore, the criteria of assessment should be transparent and fair. The researcher’s suggestions are：All walks of life should support catalogers’ certification；it could conduct investigation about the need of catalogers’ numbers；it’s essential to have a transition period to decrease the impact of transformation；laws or regulations relating to employ certain proportion of certification catalogers should be revised. Also, setting up the performance evaluation mechanism is a must；certification bodies should charge for maintaining its stability. Meanwhile, cataloging outsource vendors must employ certain proportion of certificated catalogers. We need to enhance Library and Information Science practical skill programs. Finally it’s urgent to establish catalogers’ professional competencies certification and professional capability standards in Taiwan.