Collection Services & Development Archive

Cataloging Update - Pauline

Pauline would like to thank everyone for their help and support since the death of her husband’s twin, Larry. Heidi has handled management issues; Janet taught the catalog searching section of the workshop; and the Cataloging staff has kept the department running effectively. It has been very helpful to know that work-related issues are taken care of, and not to have to worry about them. The expressions of sympathy and support from all the MLS family have meant a great deal to Pauline and to Gary.
Margaret and Christina were a big help to Cataloging the week of November 1. All Cataloging technicians were out all or part of the week. Margaret and Christina kept up barcode printing so completely that Pauline did not need to assist at all on some days. Margaret worked extra hours, and mastered ordering AV barcodes during this time. Thanks to both of them!
Cataloging is still struggling with the new barcode printers. Most problems seem to be with the printers rather than the software. Cataloging has begun cleaning the printers with alcohol, which seems to be helping somewhat. It’s not clear if the printers work better when they are cleaner, or if they’re drunk, but it seems to help. Pauline has ordered supplies to clean the print heads and media paths, to see if that further alleviates some problems.
Crystal attended the Staff Recognition Reception on October 16, and received her 5-year pin. Jill also attended the reception. Paula’s 5-year pin has been delivered to her.
Pauline manned an exhibit for OLA at the annual OEA conference. She has a new respect for exhibitors! Several people expressed interest in library careers.

Technical Processing update – Heidi
(To best describe the last month in TP: if it was not on fire or a "Rush," it was not a priority)

Runs have been between 400-1000 labels per day since our last meeting. TP currently receives an average of about 45 boxes of materials a day. TP has been short staffed again due to a vacancy and staff being ill. Again, thanks to Cataloging and Materials Selection for letting TP borrow their part-time technicians to help out in Tech.
Heidi attended Outstanding Service Award committee meetings on August 24 and on September 21.
Heidi presented a draft of DVD processing guidelines at the August 25 Library Managers' meeting at DC (see also the minutes of that meeting on the Intranet)
Heidi will be on AVL from September 24 -30. On October 1, Loretta and Heidi will attend the Amigos workshop "Care and handling of materials" at the OU Health Sciences Center.
Heidi called in 8 of the 12 applicants for the processor position for testing; one never returned her calls, and seven came in for tests on Monday and Wednesday. Heidi will call applicants to schedule interviews during the week of October 4, and hopes to have a new processor in place no later than October 25.
Quality Book Binding picked up the fall bindery materials on September 21. The pick-up date for the first half of the genealogy materials to be rebound from the Friends' grant is tentatively scheduled for December 15, 2004. These materials will need to be coded for bindery and sent to TP around November 15-20.

Music Added Entries/Cross References (from Tech Group Request) - Janet, Pauline, Karen

The process of making multiple entries in a each record for artists and authors who have worked under different names is very time consuming and has large potential for errors. Given Cataloging’s volume of work, Pauline would prefer not to add to cataloging time or error potential. Jim Welch has said that he is strongly opposed to creating an author see reference file. It was decided that Karen, Pauline and Janet will discuss the issue with Jim and consider other options.
DVDs - All

Heidi provided samples of cases that are available to process DVDs. She recommended one that is sturdy and will stay closed when dropped. The company will make cases that will hold up to 2 DVDs. If a title purchased in the future is more than 2 DVDs, TP can tape cases together to house up to 4 DVDs. When a title is received that contains a lot of additional literature or accompanying material, TP reserves the right to keep what they can and dispose of the rest. If a title comes as a book with a DVD, the material will be cataloged as a book. Heidi has provided managers with a draft of other processing guidelines. Further investigation on processing is needed. Janet will examine processing during a visit to TCCL and discuss any preprocessing BTE can offer, Pauline will work on a sample cataloging record, and Heidi will examine processing done by video stores. MSD managers will plan to attend the August Library Managers’ Meeting to present DVD processing information.

Interlibrary Loan Update - Pamela Kosted
ILL is working getting ready for the move. They have worked on their floor plan and are in the process of getting things consolidated or thrown out.
ILL requests are increasing.
With Joyce processing the mail for ILL and the added hours Christina has been working, the wait time for ILL requests is down.
Cataloging Update - Pauline Rodriguez
Margaret Angeles began work as the new MSD Technician on March 29. She is catching on very quickly and Cataloging is enjoying her.
The upgrade of Cataloging’s page positions to MSD Techs has already been beneficial. Laqueta was able to help out in Tech Processing the week of March 15-19, and Margaret has helped on other occasions. Both have also assisted by doing the run when Cataloging has been short staffed, and will be learning other Cataloging Technician tasks shortly.
Margaret and Laqueta will have orientation in MSL and ILL after the DN move is completed.