The past few months have been an eventful time for catalogers, including the Report and Recommendations of the U.S. RDA Test Coordinating Committee on the implementation of RDA and the Library of Congress announcing plans for moving away from MARC.  Fortunately, OLAC was well-represented at the 2011 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans, and several of our members and liaisons have reports on the above issues and more.  To find out what was discussed at the OLAC meetings, see Marcia Barrett’s comprehensive minutes (beginning on page 8).  Additionally, we have liaison reports from Cate Gerhart, Kelley McGrath, and Mary Huismann (p. 23).  Thank you to Marcia, the liaisons, and other members, who keep OLAC informed with the changes that are happening now and the changes that are to come.

There are two reviews in this issue.  The first is of Broken Pieces: a Library Life, 1941-1978 by Michael Gorman (p.  41-42). It is a memoir of Gorman’s early life, from his childhood in England to the beginnings of his library career in the United States.  The second book is Practical Strategies for Cataloging Departments edited by Rebecca Lubas (p. 43-44).  Strategies discusses multiple issues that affect cataloging departments, including, training, evolving standards, and collaboration.  

Congratulations to the 2011 Nancy B. Olson Award recipient: Greta de Groat of Stanford University Libraries.  To find out more about Greta’s contributions to the audiovisual community and OLAC, please see the News and Announcements section (p. 38).

Have a wonderful fall season!