Metadata, Users, and Discovery: A Panel Discussion

Speakers:
Brooke Sansosti, Business Analyst, Library Service Platform Team, NYPL
Heidi Webb, Head of Discovery and Technology Services, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Guy Burak, Librarian for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies, NYU

In a one-hour discussion, three panelists with experience in cataloging, designing and administering discovery systems, and reference services will discuss the challenges of deploying descriptive metadata in discovery environments like Primo VE, Worldcat Discovery, and Blacklight. Topics will include: What metadata (and how much) is relevant to different user groups? What approaches can be used to manage metadata from a variety of sources? How can libraries understand their users' needs and create policies and workflows that work?

Brooke Sansosti is an information professional and educator within the GLAM sector; her current position as a Business Analyst at NYPL uses her knowledge of libraries, library concepts, librarians, and patrons to assist in the creation of tools within their Research Library service platforms. Brooke is passionate about quality metadata, free access to information, and using empathy to help build the end user experience.

Guy Burak is the Middle Eastern, Islamic, Jewish and African Studies Librarian at NYU's Bobst Library.  He serves as a liaison to several academic departments, performs reference services, and does collection development and cataloging for Middle Eastern materials.

Heidi Webb is the Head of Discovery and Technology Services at Upstate Medical University, an academic medical center serving educational, research, and clinical endeavors. Heidi currently manages the discovery and integration of library resources across the library's web presence including Primo VE and has worked in systems, discovery, and e-resource management for over a decade. They have implemented several discovery layers over the years and during the SUNY-wide implementation of Alma and Primo they played an active role in assisting the wide variety of SUNY (State University of New York) libraries in implementing their Primo instances.  Regardless of the task at hand, Heidi strives for efficiency, seeks to better integrate and link systems, and create enhanced user experiences.

A Note on Registration Fees:

Since 2020’s transition to virtual events due to COVID-19, NYTSL has been offering our programming both online and free of charge. Luckily, NYTSL had enough funds to continue offering free programming through 2021 and 2022. However, in order to provide honoraria to our invited speakers as well as cover the cost of website operations, we will need to resume program registration fees.

Especially since NYTSL will continue to offer programming in a virtual environment, our updated fees are significantly lower than they were for our pre-pandemic in-person programs:

• Member: $6.00 (updated fee) vs. $15.00 (pre-pandemic)
• Student member: $5.00 (updated fee) vs. $10.00 (pre-pandemic)
• Non-member: $15.00 (updated fee) vs. $40.00 (pre-pandemic) 

NYTSL also recognizes the value of the networking and camaraderie that arise from in-person events. We look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming Spring 2023 Reception (date/time tbd), to be held at a venue that includes outdoor seating to accommodate those who require a Covid-19 safe environment to socialize.