University Park, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Diane Dates Casey understands that managing a library and ensuring its contents are accessible is much more than simply slapping a number on the spine of a book and shelving it.
As Dean of Library Services at the University Library at Governors State University and councilor to the American Library Association Board of Directors for the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services, she is well versed in the intricacies of maintaining and improving library accessibility and service.
Her participation in the Library of Congress report on the Future of Bibliographic Control and her analysis of the impact its findings will have on American Library Association members recently earned her a certificate of appreciation from the Association.
“This experience was invaluable and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate and appreciate the recognition,” said Dates Casey. “As a member of the committee, I was able to interact with professional librarians and information organization professionals on a broad range of topics related to bibliographic control.
According to Dates Casey, bibliographic control is more than just adding a call number. “We must also consider how to treat digital materials, where there is no physical item. Participation in developing this report and analyzing its effects allowed me to look at what is on horizon and think about the possibilities and parameters that we will need to address in the future.”
As a member of the panel making the analysis report to members of the American Library Association, Dates Casey said, “We must identify and allocate sufficient funding to improve and expand bibliographic control.”
Dates Casey’s work during the past year resulted in her reelection as councilor to the American Library Association board for her second three-year term. Her husband James B. Casey, Director of the Oak Lawn Public Library is also an elected member of the board.
“We are very proud of Diane’s hard work on the important issues facing university libraries. Her participation in the national level with both the American Library Association and the Library of Congress is a credit to her and Governors State University,” said Dr. Jane Hudak, Provost of Governors State University.
The University Library at GSU subscribes to more than 75 electronic databases in which users can locate full-text books and journal articles, as well as citations to articles, books, and other materials. The library also maintains an extensive collection of print, audiovisual, and electronic materials encompassing 460,000 volumes, 26,000 media items, 1,000,000 items on microfiche/film, 1,900 journal subscriptions, and 1400 electronic serial subscriptions. As well as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and computer disks. It is also a select depository for U.S. and Illinois government documents.
“The size and variety of the GSU Library collection makes Diane’s participation in the American Library Association an important asset to the university and the communities we serve,” added Hudak.
