|
The variety of
positions available to library school students who are considering a
career in cataloging is continuously growing. Interestingly, it is not
just because of the exponential growth of born-digital and digitized
resources needing specialized and often-times complex metadata.
Electronic resources, such as CD-ROMs and e-books, and audiovisual
materials, such as films and music CDs, are becoming an increasingly
large and important part of libraries’ holdings. Their use in
classrooms is expanding, greatly impacting school and university
libraries’ collections. Public libraries as well are adding an
increasing number of films, sound recordings, audiobooks, and other
electronic and non-print (so-called “special”) formats for their
communities’ use. It is important that these items are cataloged well,
because high-quality cataloging facilitates easy access to materials and
information that patrons seek.
Whether the job
title is Special Materials Cataloger, Non-Books Cataloger, Electronic
Resources Cataloger, or some other designation, the responsibilities are
somewhat similar. This type of cataloger works with a variety of
non-book and/or non-print formats, which may include videos, CD-ROMs,
maps, e-books, online databases, sound recordings, electronic theses,
microfiche, manuscripts, and much more. As stated earlier, these
non-traditional electronic paper formats are becoming increasingly
popular at both public and academic libraries. Special rules and
standards are used to catalog these materials, special policies and
procedures are used to integrate them into a department’s workflow, and
special skills are needed to effectively catalog and process them.
I currently hold
the position of Special Materials Cataloger at a large university. If I
were ever asked what a typical workday for me is like, I would reply
something along the lines of, “There is no such thing as a typical
workday.” On any given day
I may catalog DVDs, VHS tapes, music CDs, audiobooks, CD-ROMs, e-books,
online databases, and/or maps. But that is not all. On most days I
spend merely a part of my time with all these various materials, using
the MARC format to add records to the library’s local catalog and
physically process them so that they may be added to the collection and
accessed by patrons. The other part of most days is spent with the
Digital Activities Librarian, discussing metadata creation for digitized
resources such as photographs, maps, and manuscripts, using the Dublin
Core element set to describe these materials. I deal with such
disparate concepts as copyright issues, lending policies, proxy servers,
and image scanning quality. No cataloging course prepared me for all
this. My cataloging classes were indispensable to my early development
as a professional cataloger, but I was forced to learn quickly on the
job how to juggle various formats and cataloging schemes. One of my
favorite aspects of my position is its inherent variety. The challenges
I face on a daily basis are another aspect of my job that keeps my
career interesting, enjoyable, and rewarding.
Some traits that
will help one become a successful cataloger of special materials
include:
- Versatility
– In many cases the cataloger will work with more than one cataloging
scheme. For instance, I catalog audiovisual materials, maps, e-books,
CD-ROMs, sound recordings, and online databases using the MARC format.
However, I catalog digital resources using the Dublin Core metadata
standard. At your institution you may use more than “just” two
schemes. It is important that you become comfortable with, and
knowledgeable about, a variety of schemes. Know the differences and
similarities between them, and don’t ever get them mixed up. Do your
research and keep up with developments in the world of digital
librarianship.
- Knowledge of
Appropriate Technology – This doesn’t mean you must become a
computer expert because you catalog CD-ROMs or e-books, but it is
advisable that you become comfortable using computers and know what
they can and cannot do. You’ll also want to acquire an understanding
of basic computer terminology. Plus, learn the nuances of media
players such as stereos, VCRs, and DVD players.
- Intellectual
Curiosity – All librarians should already be entering the
profession with a healthy dose of intellectual curiosity, but this is
an especially important trait when working with emerging and
unfamiliar technologies.
- Ability to
Work Well With Others – Again, this is a trait any librarian or
librarian-in-training should possess, but as a special materials
cataloger you will frequently find yourself working with personnel
from other departments within the library (for instance, acquisitions
staff or archives/special collections staff) and outside the library
(such as film department professors). Be sure to remember that not
everyone will have the same level of library expertise you have, but
they will possess knowledge and abilities that will help you in your
position as a cataloger.
- Leadership
– You will become the library’s resident “expert” on a multitude of
formats and cataloging schemes, so know your stuff and be confident
that you are adding an important element to the library. Play a
leadership role in whatever way your library’s culture will allow.
This may include impacting purchasing and lending policies, two
important aspects of special materials cataloging.
OK, so you have,
or are committing to developing, the traits outlined above. You are
halfway to becoming a successful special materials cataloger. The
following words of advice may help you on your path to success:
- Further Your
Education – This means attending continuing education workshops.
These can be a wonderful way to learn how to catalog unfamiliar
formats, as they are often taught by practitioners who know what
happens in the real world of cataloging. On a personal note,
attending workshops is how I learned the skills needed to effectively
catalog audiovisual materials and sound recordings, and it greatly
enhanced my knowledge of cataloging maps. There is a wealth of
manuals and guides available, both in print and on the web, but
nothing beats face-to-face interaction with an experienced trainer.
Attend workshops, ask questions, and take notes. More often than
not, the instructor will gladly welcome questions you will undoubtedly
have once you return to work and start cataloging new formats.
Attending workshops is well worth it, even if your institution will
not cover the costs.
- Keep Up With
Trends – Needless to say, technology changes, new formats are
invented, and cataloging rules change. For instance, the DVD is
everywhere, but it is a relatively new invention. Also, it wasn’t
long ago that popular metadata schemes such as Dublin Core did not
exist. Furthermore, it is important to keep an eye on the upcoming
new version of AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd
Edition). As of this writing, it is due for publication in 2007
under the tentative title of Resource Description and Access. The
revised rules will have an enormous impact on MARC cataloging of
non-book materials.
- Believe In
the Educational and Recreational Value of Special Materials – This
sounds corny, but it really is important to believe in the value of
the items you are cataloging. It will inspire you to create accurate,
thorough bibliographic records that provide appropriate and correct
access points to help users find the materials and information they
are seeking.
- Get Started
Early – Take as many cataloging classes in library school as you
can. Also, take courses on computers in librarianship and any other
technology-related courses. In addition, try to get practical
experience by working as an intern in a cataloging department, or at
least offer to volunteer at a nearby library, and ask to assist with
cataloging or processing whatever format(s) interest you. It is very
likely that your offer of assistance will be met with tremendous
applause, once the librarians’ shock subsides. You may be “stuck”
performing database clean-up projects, but any chance you get to look
at and edit records will be beneficial to your professional
development. You really can’t beat experience, especially when trying
to secure your first professional position.
- Rely on
Experts – As in any other profession, there are a number of
experts in the world of special materials cataloging, and it is highly
recommended that as you begin to learn how to catalog unfamiliar and
emerging formats, you rely on the advice of these experts. There are
a surprisingly large number of practical and helpful manuals and
guides available, many written by names you will come to know and
love. For example, names such as Jay Weitz, Nancy B. Olson, Verna
Urbanski, and Mary Beth Weber will become familiar as you explore the
available literature. These catalogers and authors write from
experience. Take advantage of it by reading articles and books on
both the theory and the practice of non-book cataloging.
- Take
Advantage of OLAC – I cannot stress enough how helpful an
organization OLAC (Online Audiovisual Catalogers) has been to my
career and professional development. Even now, after several years of
experience cataloging a wide variety of materials, I still find myself
leaning heavily on OLAC members for advice and support. OLAC, despite
its name, is not just for catalogers of audiovisual materials. It is
for anyone who catalogs the special formats mentioned throughout this
article, even digital resources for which metadata standards apply.
The organization’s website <ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/cts/olac>
features an enormous collection of practical and useful resources that
will undoubtedly make your job, and thus your life, easier. The
online membership list provides members with invaluable contacts, and
the book reviews inform catalogers of the wide variety of manuals,
guides, and other print and non-print resources that are available. OLAC
conferences are an affordable and enjoyable way to network with others
who have similar positions, and thus face the same sort of challenges,
issues, and frustrations.
I firmly believe
that this is a wonderful time to be a cataloger. Technology is rapidly
changing, making our jobs and lives both easier and more complex, and
the need for access to non-book materials in libraries has never been
greater. Universities are utilizing multimedia resources in their
classrooms at an increasing rate, and rare and fragile papers items are
being digitized for safer and easier access, as well as improved
long-term preservation. Catalogers are needed now more than ever to
describe and process these crucial cultural and educational resources.
As a well-educated, talented, and creative cataloger with the ability
to seamlessly shift from one cataloging scheme to another and an
understanding and appreciation of emerging technologies, your career
will be enormously rewarding and enjoyable. You will have a positive
impact on your profession, your institution, and your career.
About the Author:
Douglas King has
been Special Materials Cataloger at Thomas Cooper Library, University of
South Carolina since November 2004. Prior to becoming a Gamecock, Doug
held cataloging positions at Georgia Tech and the University of South
Florida. He earned his MLIS in 2000 from the University of South
Florida.
Article published Oct 2005
Disclaimer: The
ideas expressed in LIScareer articles are those of their respective
authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the LIScareer
editors.
 |
