NAG online publications
Research:
The National Acquisitions Group Quality of Shelf-Ready Metadata Survey collected data from 50 Higher Education libraries in the UK and Ireland to inform recommendations for functional shelf-ready MARC records supplied via the Joint Consortia Framework Agreement for the supply of Books, E-books, Standing Orders and Related Materials.
The majority reported that they receive shelf-ready MARC records for print books and/or e-books from multiple Framework suppliers and almost a quarter reported being dissatisfied with the overall quality of shelf-ready records being supplied via the Framework with the most common issue being incomplete MARC records. 94% of respondents agree or strongly agree that it would save them time and effort, and improve the discovery experience, if shelf-ready records supplied via the Framework met an agreed standard of quality.
The data gathered by the NAG Quality of Shelf-Ready Metadata Survey demonstrates that there is a need to provide up-to-date and standardised recommendations for functional shelf-ready MARC records supplied via the Framework Agreement. The responses to survey-questions related to essential MARC metadata elements for shelf-ready records reveal that a consensus can be found regarding shelf-ready metadata requirements.
NAG hopes that we can be part of enabling suppliers to work with libraries to ensure that the metadata in the supply chain is functional for a variety of discovery purposes, and does not require each library to perform manual checking, correction or enrichment tasks.
The full analysis of the responses is available here: The NAG Quality of Shelf-Ready Metadata Survey (2020) by Emma Booth
Following this report, the data was used to create the NAG and SUPC Metadata Profiles to support the 2021 tender.
The NAG Quality of Shelf Ready Metadata project was also presented at several conferences. The UKSG 2022 paper is available to watch OA here.
Best Practice Guidelines:
NAG publishes and updates a number of best practice guidelines. The following publications are available free as downloads.
NAG Servicing Guidelines for public libraries have been updated and the most recent 2016 edition is available here:
Servicing Standards: Best practice for public libraries
In addition, in consultation with service users and providers, NAG has also produced new equivalent Servicing Guidelines for Academic Libraries with a second edition in November 2020:
Servicing Standards: Best practice for academic libraries
Even in this electronic age, books remain a core element of the service provided by UK libraries. Building a comprehensive, high-quality stock, matching provision to community needs; improving availability and speed of supply, securing best value prices; and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of procurement and management processes are therefore essential activities for all libraries.
These Guidelines provide best practice guidance to two important elements in the effective management, selection and supply of a hard-working, best value, customer-focused stock: the supply specification and the stock management framework which underpins it.
The implementation of NAG Servicing Guidelines was also discussed in a paper by Eric Jackson at #NAGcd9 Seminar in November 2018 and a write up of this paper is available here.
NAG has also commissioned the following RFID update from Mick Fortune in conjunction with BIC available as a download here:
A Librarian’s Guide to RFID Procurement
In addition, NAG is hosting the MLA guidance on the management of controversial material in public libraries
This was commissioned by the government, and published by the MLA in 2008, with CILIP’s close involvement in its development and dissemination.
The previous editions of the Servicing Guidelines are still available to download here:
Servicing guidelines: best practice for public libraries
Supply specification guidelines: best practice for public libraries
Other NAG publications
- Template for a Model Collection Development Policy for Public Libraries
- Tendering for RFID Systems
These are available free to NAG members only (NAG members please log in to read these).
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