I've been working on the MassCat catalog for about 5 years now. First 10 hours/week, then 15, and now 18. Admittedly, I don't spend all of those hours on clean-up. I import vendor-provided records, search for and import records from OCLC, and create new records. I so very much want this catalog to correctly reflect the holdings of the MassCat libraries.
Yesterday, I had a very discouraging day. I'm still on the letter "L" in my alphabetical list of possible duplicates, specifically the word "Library". For some reason, I found record after record of the electronic version of a book and the corresponding holdings appeared to be for a print version. I know from past experience that many of these libraries do not have e-books.
Most of the time, just to be sure, I send an email to the director and explain the situation. I than ask exactly what the library owns and, if necessary (which it usually is) I find the bib record for the print book and overlay the e-book record.
Yesterday, I found over 30 e-book records that I suspected were really print books. I stopped emailing after the first 10. I figure I'll find the others again. Or maybe the books will have been weeded (dream on!) and I can just delete the record.
Nothing makes me happier than finding some skimpy or weird record with no holdings. ZAP! It's gone! Never to sully my catalog again.
Other things I encountered recently: a book by Edgar Allen Poe, now correctly by Edgar Allan Poe and another by Willliam somebody. He now has only two els in his first name.
I know I'm making progress because I keep statistics. Every month I merge hundreds of duplicate records, replace hundreds of skimpy records, and edit hundreds of other records. That third category consists of filling in pages on CIP records, correcting funky characters that should be accent marks, and correcting spellings.
If only I could get library staff to actually LOOK at the record before they import it and make sure it actually matches what they have in hand, I'd be a VERY HAPPY CATALOGER.
The one positive of this situation is that I have lots of war stories to tell when I'm teaching cataloging workshops.
Showing posts with label cataloging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cataloging. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Monday, May 30, 2016
ICC and the PSs
I'm slowly working my way through the 11th edition of Introduction to Cataloging and Classification (ICC).
The authors explicitly state that reading this textbook is not a substitute for reading RDA (Resource Description and Access), but in my opinion, using this book plus a couple of other good books on RDA (Maxwell's Handbook for RDA and Mering's The RDA workbook), a cataloger is pretty well equipt to catalog most library materials according to RDA guidelines.
RDA defines different metadata elements for describing resources. Some of these elements are "core" which means they are required. Others are "optional". Using only the core elements results in a pretty minimal record, though enough to identify the resource.
LC (the Library of Congress) and the PCC (Program for Cooperative Cataloging) Libraries who do much of the cataloging we see, have issued Policy Statements (PSs) giving their explanations or preferences for using specific areas of RDA. Both LC and PSS recommend more of the RDA metadata elements as "core".
One of the things I really like about ICC is that the authors have issued their own PSs. These are their recommendations that may differ from RDA and/or LC. Here's an example from page 215:
ICC11 PS for Optional Omission for RDA 2.4.1.4 Recording Statements of Responsibility: Although abridgement is not generally recommended, use, judiciously and thoughtfully, the option that allows catalogers to abridge SORs when needed. This may prove to be useful if a statement of responsibility is cluttered with extraneous data. Be careful not to remove essential identifying information.
See why I'm finding this book so useful?
The authors explicitly state that reading this textbook is not a substitute for reading RDA (Resource Description and Access), but in my opinion, using this book plus a couple of other good books on RDA (Maxwell's Handbook for RDA and Mering's The RDA workbook), a cataloger is pretty well equipt to catalog most library materials according to RDA guidelines.
RDA defines different metadata elements for describing resources. Some of these elements are "core" which means they are required. Others are "optional". Using only the core elements results in a pretty minimal record, though enough to identify the resource.
LC (the Library of Congress) and the PCC (Program for Cooperative Cataloging) Libraries who do much of the cataloging we see, have issued Policy Statements (PSs) giving their explanations or preferences for using specific areas of RDA. Both LC and PSS recommend more of the RDA metadata elements as "core".
One of the things I really like about ICC is that the authors have issued their own PSs. These are their recommendations that may differ from RDA and/or LC. Here's an example from page 215:
ICC11 PS for Optional Omission for RDA 2.4.1.4 Recording Statements of Responsibility: Although abridgement is not generally recommended, use, judiciously and thoughtfully, the option that allows catalogers to abridge SORs when needed. This may prove to be useful if a statement of responsibility is cluttered with extraneous data. Be careful not to remove essential identifying information.
See why I'm finding this book so useful?
Friday, May 20, 2016
Jumping to J
How did I manage to get to the letter J so quickly? Only a couple of weeks ago, I was still on F.
I have a helper. She is a Library Science student who wants to be a cataloger. She's also a Mass Library System employee. Depending on the time of year, her workload is sometimes light and she asked if she could help out with MassCat to get some cataloging experience.
While merging records is not exactly cataloging, this is great experience for her to look at bib records and see what kinds of problems arise. Since I work with an alphabetized list of potential duplicate titles, she has taken the later end of the letter F through the letter I.
I began with "Jazz" and have so far made my way through "Jewel", "Jewels", and "Jewelry". I've started "Jewish" which will keep me busy for a while. When I did a single word keyword search on "Jewish", I received a list of over 5,000 titles. The first 60 or so were in Hebrew, which I don't read, so I skipped past them and hoped they were accurate enough for Hebrew readers to find what they are looking for.
I'm still reading Introduction to Cataloging and Classification, and will be for a while. It's been a great reminder of the entire purpose of cataloging. While working, it's so easy for me to get involved in the specifics of the process - that whole "losing sight of the forest for the trees" thing. As I read through the textbook, the importance of describing the resource "uniquely" (to distinguish it from similar resources) and "unambiguously" (so that the patron knows exactly what he/she is getting) is repeated regularly.
To get a break from cataloging, I've been watching the third season of Hill Street Blues. Back in the 1980s, I watched the series pretty regularly and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I learned that it was out on DVD, I began requesting the seasons (in order, of course) from the library. Every few months, I take several evenings to become thoroughly absorbed in the adventures of the Hill Street station regulars. The stories are funny, sad, and always thought-provoking. The characters are multi-dimensional. The "good guys" have faults; the "bad guys" are sometimes kind.
I think what's most fascinating is the overall culture. No one has cell phones or computers. The cars are big (gasoline was just over $1.00/gallon). People wore aviator glasses. Come to think of it, so did I.
I have a helper. She is a Library Science student who wants to be a cataloger. She's also a Mass Library System employee. Depending on the time of year, her workload is sometimes light and she asked if she could help out with MassCat to get some cataloging experience.
While merging records is not exactly cataloging, this is great experience for her to look at bib records and see what kinds of problems arise. Since I work with an alphabetized list of potential duplicate titles, she has taken the later end of the letter F through the letter I.
I began with "Jazz" and have so far made my way through "Jewel", "Jewels", and "Jewelry". I've started "Jewish" which will keep me busy for a while. When I did a single word keyword search on "Jewish", I received a list of over 5,000 titles. The first 60 or so were in Hebrew, which I don't read, so I skipped past them and hoped they were accurate enough for Hebrew readers to find what they are looking for.
I'm still reading Introduction to Cataloging and Classification, and will be for a while. It's been a great reminder of the entire purpose of cataloging. While working, it's so easy for me to get involved in the specifics of the process - that whole "losing sight of the forest for the trees" thing. As I read through the textbook, the importance of describing the resource "uniquely" (to distinguish it from similar resources) and "unambiguously" (so that the patron knows exactly what he/she is getting) is repeated regularly.
To get a break from cataloging, I've been watching the third season of Hill Street Blues. Back in the 1980s, I watched the series pretty regularly and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I learned that it was out on DVD, I began requesting the seasons (in order, of course) from the library. Every few months, I take several evenings to become thoroughly absorbed in the adventures of the Hill Street station regulars. The stories are funny, sad, and always thought-provoking. The characters are multi-dimensional. The "good guys" have faults; the "bad guys" are sometimes kind.
I think what's most fascinating is the overall culture. No one has cell phones or computers. The cars are big (gasoline was just over $1.00/gallon). People wore aviator glasses. Come to think of it, so did I.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Cataloging and RDA
In preparation for RDA workshops I'll be giving, I've been reading the latest (11th) edition of Introduction to Cataloging and Classification.
I first began using this book as a reference tool - perhaps the 7th or maybe the 8th edition - when Bohdan Wynar's name was at the top of the title page. Then it was Arlene Taylor's name. Now Daniel Joudrey is the lead author.
A lot has happened in cataloging since those days. The size of this new book is at least 50% larger than the 10th edition which focused on the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules.
I've just begun chapter 4. This is not a book that one can read for long periods of time. Dense is an appropriate adjective. (Not for me, but for the book.) I find that an hour (maybe less) is all I can absorb at a time. Then I have to let that material settle into my brain.
For all you catalogers out there looking to learn RDA, I highly recommend this book. I already know a lot about FRBR and RDA, but the detail included here is really helping me put the myriad concepts together logically. And chapter 4 begins the specifics of RDA itself, as opposed to background information which is what I've been wading through the last week or so.
I have about 5 weeks to the workshop. I'll feel a lot more confident giving this one than I have in the past. Danny Joudrey was extremely helpful to me when I began teaching Information Organization for Simmons College School of Library and Information Science. I plan to send him an email letting him know how helpful he's been yet again.
Thanks, Danny.
I first began using this book as a reference tool - perhaps the 7th or maybe the 8th edition - when Bohdan Wynar's name was at the top of the title page. Then it was Arlene Taylor's name. Now Daniel Joudrey is the lead author.
A lot has happened in cataloging since those days. The size of this new book is at least 50% larger than the 10th edition which focused on the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules.
I've just begun chapter 4. This is not a book that one can read for long periods of time. Dense is an appropriate adjective. (Not for me, but for the book.) I find that an hour (maybe less) is all I can absorb at a time. Then I have to let that material settle into my brain.
For all you catalogers out there looking to learn RDA, I highly recommend this book. I already know a lot about FRBR and RDA, but the detail included here is really helping me put the myriad concepts together logically. And chapter 4 begins the specifics of RDA itself, as opposed to background information which is what I've been wading through the last week or so.
I have about 5 weeks to the workshop. I'll feel a lot more confident giving this one than I have in the past. Danny Joudrey was extremely helpful to me when I began teaching Information Organization for Simmons College School of Library and Information Science. I plan to send him an email letting him know how helpful he's been yet again.
Thanks, Danny.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Cataloging, Computers and Cars, or, I can now relax (I think)
It's been a stressful couple of months, but I think things are settling down. I hope this post is not a jinx.
Last fall, I agreed to lead an intensive RDA training. It was a good opportunity for me to delve into the new cataloging rules and finally learn them. It's that thing about teaching what we need to learn, and it works. I've been teaching cataloging and related subjects for close to 30 years, but was very nervous about this workshop. It haunted me. I kept thinking I could learn more and include more. I agonized over the best way to present the material. It was a difficult time for me.
I gave the workshop and it all went well. However, that was not the end of my stress. The night before the workshop, my computer died. All my (and my husband's) material is backed up on Carbonite, so that wasn't the problem. Neither of us could get to any of it, though. I was about to be tied up for two days with the workshop and I couldn't attend to the computer. (I'm the IT person at my house.)
As I said, the workshop went well, but on the way home, my car died. I was about halfway home when I lost my power steering and the battery light came on. I tried to make it to the Subaru dealership, but the battery ran out of charge about 4 miles away. I called AAA and my car was towed to the dealership - Friday evening just as they were closing.
Interestingly, the car is the least of my stress. Though it cost me a good portion of my workshop fee, I knew the car could be fixed. It wasn't much more than an inconvenience.
The computer, however, is a more difficult issue. After agonizing over my options, I bought a new computer. I set aside an entire day to get it set up, install software and download files. After a few glitches (Carbonite tech support is EXCELLENT) things seem to be working, though I kind of hold my breath every time I turn on the computer. I feel vulnerable when it comes to these things. So far, everything seems to be where it's supposed to be.
Saturday and Sunday I got to stay home and just relax. I know it'll be a short one, but I'm very much enjoying this plateau.
Last fall, I agreed to lead an intensive RDA training. It was a good opportunity for me to delve into the new cataloging rules and finally learn them. It's that thing about teaching what we need to learn, and it works. I've been teaching cataloging and related subjects for close to 30 years, but was very nervous about this workshop. It haunted me. I kept thinking I could learn more and include more. I agonized over the best way to present the material. It was a difficult time for me.
I gave the workshop and it all went well. However, that was not the end of my stress. The night before the workshop, my computer died. All my (and my husband's) material is backed up on Carbonite, so that wasn't the problem. Neither of us could get to any of it, though. I was about to be tied up for two days with the workshop and I couldn't attend to the computer. (I'm the IT person at my house.)
As I said, the workshop went well, but on the way home, my car died. I was about halfway home when I lost my power steering and the battery light came on. I tried to make it to the Subaru dealership, but the battery ran out of charge about 4 miles away. I called AAA and my car was towed to the dealership - Friday evening just as they were closing.
Interestingly, the car is the least of my stress. Though it cost me a good portion of my workshop fee, I knew the car could be fixed. It wasn't much more than an inconvenience.
The computer, however, is a more difficult issue. After agonizing over my options, I bought a new computer. I set aside an entire day to get it set up, install software and download files. After a few glitches (Carbonite tech support is EXCELLENT) things seem to be working, though I kind of hold my breath every time I turn on the computer. I feel vulnerable when it comes to these things. So far, everything seems to be where it's supposed to be.
Saturday and Sunday I got to stay home and just relax. I know it'll be a short one, but I'm very much enjoying this plateau.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
If Everything is on the Internet ...
... why is my desk at MassCat stacked with books, etc. that need cataloging? Sorry, I didn't take a picture.
I've been inundated with requests for bibliographic records for books, DVDs, even a local serial publication. Self-publishing is the main reason for me to create original records. Someone in town publishes a book and donates it to the public library which now needs information in its online catalog so that patrons can find the book and it can be circulated. This is in no way intended to imply they're not worthy of publication, but because these tomes are not going through the commercial publishers, they lack bibliographic records in the traditional sources.
It's not just new items that lack records; some old publications never received them. Some of the MassCat libraries are special libraries with historical collections such as the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Wellesley, or the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.
As staff go through the process of retrospective conversion, making sure that all items are accounted for in the catalog, it is not unusual to find some for which no cataloging record exists. These are the things you won't find on Amazon.com. And you may not find them in Google books. The only record of some of these historically significant items will be in MassCat.
I've been inundated with requests for bibliographic records for books, DVDs, even a local serial publication. Self-publishing is the main reason for me to create original records. Someone in town publishes a book and donates it to the public library which now needs information in its online catalog so that patrons can find the book and it can be circulated. This is in no way intended to imply they're not worthy of publication, but because these tomes are not going through the commercial publishers, they lack bibliographic records in the traditional sources.
It's not just new items that lack records; some old publications never received them. Some of the MassCat libraries are special libraries with historical collections such as the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Wellesley, or the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.
As staff go through the process of retrospective conversion, making sure that all items are accounted for in the catalog, it is not unusual to find some for which no cataloging record exists. These are the things you won't find on Amazon.com. And you may not find them in Google books. The only record of some of these historically significant items will be in MassCat.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
The Letter D
For the last couple of years, I've been working at MassCat cleaning up the catalog. When I started, I was given a printout of probable duplicate records in alphabetical order by title. I look up each title and, if they are in fact duplicates, I merge them. After working 10 hours each week for the first year and 15 since then, today I reached the letter D. There are a lot of duplicates.
It's really not as bad as it seems. I have other duties in addition to merging duplicates. When a member library needs to add their holdings to a bib record but can't find one, they send the relevant information to me. I find a record and import it into the catalog. If I can't find a record, I create one. In the course of searching for records, I often find a duplicate (or two or three) and merge them on the spot. So there are lots of records beyond the letter D that have already been merged.
There are many reasons for all the duplicates. The entire catalog was run through a program that automatically merged duplicates, but the software (Koha) is extremely sensitive and only merged records that it was absolutely, positively, unquestionably sure were duplicates. Some records don't have ISBNs. Some have different ISBNs (which is often okay), and some just don't have enough information to work with.
Many MassCat members are school libraries. They are usually small and previously had a very simple automated catalog. These libraries never envisioned being part of a network. If they owned a title, all they cared about was that they owned the title. It didn't matter if the book was hardbound or a mass market paperback or who published it or when - they owned the title. That's fine for a single, standalone library. But once you're part of a network and loaning your items to other libraries, those things matter. Some people want only large print books; some (including me) don't like mass market paperbacks; sometimes it's important to have the latest edition or the title that's part of a specific series. Each of those must have it's own bibliographic record and the record needs to be detailed enough for the patron to determine what they'll be getting.
With the MassCat catalog, I think I have a job for life. I merge records when I determine they are exactly the same; I enhance records that have minimal information; I correct mistakes (sometimes accent marks do not import correctly and look more like swears than words). There are typos, too. There's lots of work to do, but I keep reminding myself that someday this will be the cleanest catalog anyone has ever seen.
It's really not as bad as it seems. I have other duties in addition to merging duplicates. When a member library needs to add their holdings to a bib record but can't find one, they send the relevant information to me. I find a record and import it into the catalog. If I can't find a record, I create one. In the course of searching for records, I often find a duplicate (or two or three) and merge them on the spot. So there are lots of records beyond the letter D that have already been merged.
There are many reasons for all the duplicates. The entire catalog was run through a program that automatically merged duplicates, but the software (Koha) is extremely sensitive and only merged records that it was absolutely, positively, unquestionably sure were duplicates. Some records don't have ISBNs. Some have different ISBNs (which is often okay), and some just don't have enough information to work with.
Many MassCat members are school libraries. They are usually small and previously had a very simple automated catalog. These libraries never envisioned being part of a network. If they owned a title, all they cared about was that they owned the title. It didn't matter if the book was hardbound or a mass market paperback or who published it or when - they owned the title. That's fine for a single, standalone library. But once you're part of a network and loaning your items to other libraries, those things matter. Some people want only large print books; some (including me) don't like mass market paperbacks; sometimes it's important to have the latest edition or the title that's part of a specific series. Each of those must have it's own bibliographic record and the record needs to be detailed enough for the patron to determine what they'll be getting.
With the MassCat catalog, I think I have a job for life. I merge records when I determine they are exactly the same; I enhance records that have minimal information; I correct mistakes (sometimes accent marks do not import correctly and look more like swears than words). There are typos, too. There's lots of work to do, but I keep reminding myself that someday this will be the cleanest catalog anyone has ever seen.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Mission Accomplished
I spent the month of May (non-MassCat days) at the Springfield City Library cataloging materials for the ECRC (Early Childhood Resource Collection). What fun!
The highest priority were the Storywalks. There are only 6 of them at the moment. They consist of short (30 pages or so) children's books with illustrations that take up most of the page and one or two sentences of text. Each book comes in a tote bag. Also in the tote bag is a laminated sheet of each page with velcro on the back. The intent is to post each page on a stick along a pathway and tell the story as the group walks.
Then came the books and DVDs about early childhood education, child development, and parenting. They took the longest time since there were so many of them and they had to be re-packaged into locking cases.
And then came the toys, games, puzzles and puppets. My favorite was the Sensory Ball Set. I loved the colors, the variety of sizes and the textures. I probably spent more time than absolutely necessary cataloging them because I wanted to look at them and handle them.
I want a set for myself.
The highest priority were the Storywalks. There are only 6 of them at the moment. They consist of short (30 pages or so) children's books with illustrations that take up most of the page and one or two sentences of text. Each book comes in a tote bag. Also in the tote bag is a laminated sheet of each page with velcro on the back. The intent is to post each page on a stick along a pathway and tell the story as the group walks.
Then came the books and DVDs about early childhood education, child development, and parenting. They took the longest time since there were so many of them and they had to be re-packaged into locking cases.
And then came the toys, games, puzzles and puppets. My favorite was the Sensory Ball Set. I loved the colors, the variety of sizes and the textures. I probably spent more time than absolutely necessary cataloging them because I wanted to look at them and handle them.
I want a set for myself.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
An Itinerant Cataloger
I've just finished the first week of my new schedule as an itinerant cataloger, although the schedule will fluctuate a little from week to week. There are two holidays in November to work around, too. The week was somewhat more chaotic than usual since I had to cope with 34 hours of no electricity due to Hurricane Sandy.
Here's what it looked like:
Monday: I arrived at Springfield City Library at 9:00 a.m. The first thing I needed to do was learn the cataloging function of Evergreen and SCL's local practices. The library closed at noon because of the storm. I went home and graded papers and began prep for Thursday's class. The lights went out at 2:30, but I worked until it got too dark to do that. I lit candles, listened to the battery powered radio and watched the wind blow the trees around.
Tuesday: Still no lights. I went to SCL and worked on music CDs (mostly copy cataloging), got more comfortable with Evergreen and SCLs music classification system.
Wednesday: The lights came on about 12:30 a.m. It was good to wash in warm water and make coffee that morning. I went to Town Hall to teach the senior exercise class at the Council on Aging office, then off to MassCat to work on their database. I'm more aware of the differences between Evergreen and Koha, the two most common Open Source systems available to libraries.
Thursday was owner/member appreciation day at the local food co-op. I had been planning for a couple of weeks to go shopping there and take advantage of the 10% discount. First, I had to finish prepping for LIS415, which I did. I had a lot of photocopying to do for class, so I left a little early. It was a good class, perhaps the best of the semester. This has been a quiet group of students, not much discussion/questions during class but that night was different. They had a group assignment to work on and really got into it.
Friday: back to Town Hall, but first a stop by the library to sign the bi-weekly warrants (I'm trustee chair). The other exercise instructor usually takes responsibility for most of Friday's class. I lead the part where the exercises aggravate her bad back. I found out that the Town Hall will be closed the day after Thanksgiving and there will be no exercise class. That's good because it makes my schedule easier. The MassCat office will also be closed that day and if there's no exercise class, I can work at SCL from 9-5.
So now it's Saturday and I don't feel like doing anything at all. I've done some odds and ends around the house and there are plenty of things I could do, but they can wait till tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll have more time. It's the first day of Standard Time (fall back) and will be a whole hour longer.
Here's what it looked like:
Monday: I arrived at Springfield City Library at 9:00 a.m. The first thing I needed to do was learn the cataloging function of Evergreen and SCL's local practices. The library closed at noon because of the storm. I went home and graded papers and began prep for Thursday's class. The lights went out at 2:30, but I worked until it got too dark to do that. I lit candles, listened to the battery powered radio and watched the wind blow the trees around.
Tuesday: Still no lights. I went to SCL and worked on music CDs (mostly copy cataloging), got more comfortable with Evergreen and SCLs music classification system.
Wednesday: The lights came on about 12:30 a.m. It was good to wash in warm water and make coffee that morning. I went to Town Hall to teach the senior exercise class at the Council on Aging office, then off to MassCat to work on their database. I'm more aware of the differences between Evergreen and Koha, the two most common Open Source systems available to libraries.
Thursday was owner/member appreciation day at the local food co-op. I had been planning for a couple of weeks to go shopping there and take advantage of the 10% discount. First, I had to finish prepping for LIS415, which I did. I had a lot of photocopying to do for class, so I left a little early. It was a good class, perhaps the best of the semester. This has been a quiet group of students, not much discussion/questions during class but that night was different. They had a group assignment to work on and really got into it.
Friday: back to Town Hall, but first a stop by the library to sign the bi-weekly warrants (I'm trustee chair). The other exercise instructor usually takes responsibility for most of Friday's class. I lead the part where the exercises aggravate her bad back. I found out that the Town Hall will be closed the day after Thanksgiving and there will be no exercise class. That's good because it makes my schedule easier. The MassCat office will also be closed that day and if there's no exercise class, I can work at SCL from 9-5.
So now it's Saturday and I don't feel like doing anything at all. I've done some odds and ends around the house and there are plenty of things I could do, but they can wait till tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll have more time. It's the first day of Standard Time (fall back) and will be a whole hour longer.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Hot Stuff
Of course! As soon as I posted about semi-retirement, I received a phone call from Springfield City Library asking if I could work for them part time.
Because the migration to a new Integrated Library System did not go as smoothly as everyone hoped, their cataloger has fallen way behind on original cataloging and they need someone to help. That's me.
So now I'm working just about full time: 10 hours each week at MassCat, 1 or 2 days each week (depending on what else I have scheduled) at SCL, and one full day and evening for preparation and teaching Information Organization. And let's not forget the senior Osteo Exercise class which now meets two mornings each week because it is so popular.
Last year at this time I had no work other than the Info Org class. Now I can barely fit in all the things I have to do. Guess I'll just have to cut back on cleaning house :-)
Because the migration to a new Integrated Library System did not go as smoothly as everyone hoped, their cataloger has fallen way behind on original cataloging and they need someone to help. That's me.
So now I'm working just about full time: 10 hours each week at MassCat, 1 or 2 days each week (depending on what else I have scheduled) at SCL, and one full day and evening for preparation and teaching Information Organization. And let's not forget the senior Osteo Exercise class which now meets two mornings each week because it is so popular.
Last year at this time I had no work other than the Info Org class. Now I can barely fit in all the things I have to do. Guess I'll just have to cut back on cleaning house :-)
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Settling into Semi-Retirement
I was laid off from a full-time job more than two years ago. I collected unemployment for a while and have worked in a variety of part-time jobs. Finally my life seems to be settling into somewhat of a pattern that I enjoy.
This is what my schedule looks like for the next few months: Two mornings each week (Wednesday and Friday) I attend the senior exercise class in town. I share leading the class with another woman. Sometimes I lead the entire class; sometimes we each lead a part of it. Now that there are two classes each week, she'll be leading more. If I find myself short of time, I may not go to both.
After exercise class, I head out to the Massachusetts Library System-west office where the MassCat office is located. There I spend the rest of the day on database maintenance and original cataloging for member libraries.
Thursday evenings I teach LIS415 for Simmons GSLIS-west. I spend most of Thursday (and some of the other days not otherwise accounted for) preparing for that class.
For the next few months, I'm contracted to teach one Continuing Education class/month for the Connecticut State Library or the Mass Library System. The workshops will be Cataloging Equipment, RDA, and an overview of cataloging for "accidental catalogers".
That leave me plenty of time to read (current book: Dearie), work on crossword puzzles and cook. Now that the weather is getting cooler, I'm baking muffins and quickbreads. I also made a pan of lasagna and included a layer of roasted summer squash. Yum.
This is the life - hope it continues this way for a long time.
This is what my schedule looks like for the next few months: Two mornings each week (Wednesday and Friday) I attend the senior exercise class in town. I share leading the class with another woman. Sometimes I lead the entire class; sometimes we each lead a part of it. Now that there are two classes each week, she'll be leading more. If I find myself short of time, I may not go to both.
After exercise class, I head out to the Massachusetts Library System-west office where the MassCat office is located. There I spend the rest of the day on database maintenance and original cataloging for member libraries.
Thursday evenings I teach LIS415 for Simmons GSLIS-west. I spend most of Thursday (and some of the other days not otherwise accounted for) preparing for that class.
For the next few months, I'm contracted to teach one Continuing Education class/month for the Connecticut State Library or the Mass Library System. The workshops will be Cataloging Equipment, RDA, and an overview of cataloging for "accidental catalogers".
That leave me plenty of time to read (current book: Dearie), work on crossword puzzles and cook. Now that the weather is getting cooler, I'm baking muffins and quickbreads. I also made a pan of lasagna and included a layer of roasted summer squash. Yum.
This is the life - hope it continues this way for a long time.
Friday, June 22, 2012
On Hiatus
It's that time of year again: the end of the fiscal year, when money runs out, but dollars for the next year's grant haven't yet come through.
So I get a break. I'm not certain for how long because DGI's client doesn't know exactly when the check is coming, though they know it will be coming sometime.
However, I'm starting a part-time job beginning in early July for MassCat. This is the same job I had last summer; then it was only temporary, now it's permanent. For 10 hours/week I'll be doing database cleanup, copy cataloging on OCLC when there is no record in the MassCat database, and original cataloging when there is no record anywhere. The job is a short commute and coffee is available for employees.
I'll have money coming in, but plenty of time to catch up on house and yard work. And I need to begin preparing to teach Information Organization in the fall. Simmons GSLIS has changed all of its software, and I need to transfer my materials from BlackBoard to Moodle. It's also a good time to work on some revisions to the course.
What was that about a break?
So I get a break. I'm not certain for how long because DGI's client doesn't know exactly when the check is coming, though they know it will be coming sometime.
However, I'm starting a part-time job beginning in early July for MassCat. This is the same job I had last summer; then it was only temporary, now it's permanent. For 10 hours/week I'll be doing database cleanup, copy cataloging on OCLC when there is no record in the MassCat database, and original cataloging when there is no record anywhere. The job is a short commute and coffee is available for employees.
I'll have money coming in, but plenty of time to catch up on house and yard work. And I need to begin preparing to teach Information Organization in the fall. Simmons GSLIS has changed all of its software, and I need to transfer my materials from BlackBoard to Moodle. It's also a good time to work on some revisions to the course.
What was that about a break?
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
A Day Off
It's been very busy for the last few weeks. I've either been cataloging, giving a presentation on cataloging, preparing a presentation on cataloging, or - hardest of all - agonizing that I need to prepare a presentation on cataloging that I'll be giving in a few days. All of the presentations are now over.
This morning I taught my exercise class. I have some errands to run, but otherwise my day is free. I'm hoping to get some housework done. With all of this rain followed by sunshine, the yard needs attention, too. Where to start? I'm also way behind on my crossword puzzles. There are two per week that I work on from local newspapers and right now there's a stack on the coffee table just waiting for some free time. Maybe that's what I'll spend the rest of the day doing.
This morning I taught my exercise class. I have some errands to run, but otherwise my day is free. I'm hoping to get some housework done. With all of this rain followed by sunshine, the yard needs attention, too. Where to start? I'm also way behind on my crossword puzzles. There are two per week that I work on from local newspapers and right now there's a stack on the coffee table just waiting for some free time. Maybe that's what I'll spend the rest of the day doing.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Another Rejection
I received a letter last week regarding the position of Osteo Exercise Coordinator: They hired someone else. At least they interviewed me. Truth is, I'm kind of relieved. I've been so busy lately I was wondering how I was going to fit in another 15 hours/week if I got this job. And I make more money as a cataloger than they were offering.
So I guess I'm destined to be a cataloger forever - which is not at all bad. Every time I contemplate a career change, something happens to thwart any plans I might have.
Yesterday's program on Metadata and Dublin Core at the Digital Commonwealth conference went very well. A couple of people came up to me after the program and said how happy they were that they now understand what Metadata is. One young woman who is a Library Science grad student told me a story that made me very happy. She said she and some other students were working on a digital libraries project and she found the Digital Treasures site along with the information I compiled about creating metadata. She said the documentation was extremely helpful and she was so glad to meet me so that she could say so in person. Wow! My work has paid off. I smiled to myself all the way home.
So I guess I'm destined to be a cataloger forever - which is not at all bad. Every time I contemplate a career change, something happens to thwart any plans I might have.
Yesterday's program on Metadata and Dublin Core at the Digital Commonwealth conference went very well. A couple of people came up to me after the program and said how happy they were that they now understand what Metadata is. One young woman who is a Library Science grad student told me a story that made me very happy. She said she and some other students were working on a digital libraries project and she found the Digital Treasures site along with the information I compiled about creating metadata. She said the documentation was extremely helpful and she was so glad to meet me so that she could say so in person. Wow! My work has paid off. I smiled to myself all the way home.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Tote Bags
The back seat of my car is full of canvas tote bags. I use them whenever I go shopping to avoid getting plastic bags. Many stores will give me 5 or 10 cents off my purchase for each tote bag I use. The only downside is that I also don't get large paper bags which I need for recycling, so I'm always on the lookout for those.
In the last 2 days, I've had the opportunity to look at tote bags from an entirely different perspective. I volunteered to work at the Clark Art Institute library for a variety of reasons. One is that I like to go there to see the current exhibit and during the winter months there is no admission charge. Also, the Library was one of the test sites for RDA, the controversial new cataloging code that the Library of Congress is intending to adopt as of January 1, 2013.
I've been dreading the coming of RDA because I'm going to have to teach it in Information Organization (I've been talking about it in class, but have avoided getting into too much detail) and likely be using it if I continue working as a cataloger. Since I'm no longer affiliated with a library, I'm on my own for getting any sort of training.
A couple of weeks ago, I contacted one of the librarians I know at the Clark and asked if I could spend some time at their library. Librarians there were not only trained, but have decided to continue using RDA instead of the "old rules" even though it's not yet the official code.
Well my friend was soooo happy and said she could easily put me to work on materials they acquired from the most recent Venice Biennale, an international arts festival that's been held every 2 years since 1895. The materials wanted cataloged? Tote bags!
Each nation has its own pavilion and produces a plethora of materials including books, press kits and tote bags. Someone on the staff had already cataloged the press kits so I had some metadata with which to work. Otherwise, I used whatever was printed on the tote bags.
The new rules are not drastically different, at least for this sort of material. Once I had cataloged a couple of bags and had the structure I wanted, I used that information as sort of a template and made appropriate modifications for the other bags. I left all the records in a save file to be reviewed before they are uploaded to OCLC, the database on which most libraries depend for metadata. All of them have the genre subject heading "Tote bags" which I learned is an official term within the Art and Architecture Thesaurus. Now I have some new "war stories" to tell my students next semester.
I loved my 2 days at the Clark. It felt good to be working even if it wasn't for pay. The librarian there was great about telling me and showing me some of the specifics of RDA and things that she learned. And she was so happy to have the tote bags (or most of them, anyway) cataloged. It was a good situation for everyone.
I also learned it is a long and slow trip to the Clark from where I live. I don't travel it often and I don't usually have a deadline for getting there, so I was much more aware of the routes. In fact, I tried 3 different routes for the 2 round trips. None is easy; each is slow and winding in its own way. They are all very scenic, though, so on a nice sunny day the trip is a pleasure.
In the last 2 days, I've had the opportunity to look at tote bags from an entirely different perspective. I volunteered to work at the Clark Art Institute library for a variety of reasons. One is that I like to go there to see the current exhibit and during the winter months there is no admission charge. Also, the Library was one of the test sites for RDA, the controversial new cataloging code that the Library of Congress is intending to adopt as of January 1, 2013.
I've been dreading the coming of RDA because I'm going to have to teach it in Information Organization (I've been talking about it in class, but have avoided getting into too much detail) and likely be using it if I continue working as a cataloger. Since I'm no longer affiliated with a library, I'm on my own for getting any sort of training.
A couple of weeks ago, I contacted one of the librarians I know at the Clark and asked if I could spend some time at their library. Librarians there were not only trained, but have decided to continue using RDA instead of the "old rules" even though it's not yet the official code.
Well my friend was soooo happy and said she could easily put me to work on materials they acquired from the most recent Venice Biennale, an international arts festival that's been held every 2 years since 1895. The materials wanted cataloged? Tote bags!
Each nation has its own pavilion and produces a plethora of materials including books, press kits and tote bags. Someone on the staff had already cataloged the press kits so I had some metadata with which to work. Otherwise, I used whatever was printed on the tote bags.
The new rules are not drastically different, at least for this sort of material. Once I had cataloged a couple of bags and had the structure I wanted, I used that information as sort of a template and made appropriate modifications for the other bags. I left all the records in a save file to be reviewed before they are uploaded to OCLC, the database on which most libraries depend for metadata. All of them have the genre subject heading "Tote bags" which I learned is an official term within the Art and Architecture Thesaurus. Now I have some new "war stories" to tell my students next semester.
I loved my 2 days at the Clark. It felt good to be working even if it wasn't for pay. The librarian there was great about telling me and showing me some of the specifics of RDA and things that she learned. And she was so happy to have the tote bags (or most of them, anyway) cataloged. It was a good situation for everyone.
I also learned it is a long and slow trip to the Clark from where I live. I don't travel it often and I don't usually have a deadline for getting there, so I was much more aware of the routes. In fact, I tried 3 different routes for the 2 round trips. None is easy; each is slow and winding in its own way. They are all very scenic, though, so on a nice sunny day the trip is a pleasure.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Closets and Basements
This could be a post about spring cleaning, but it's not.
Libraries are notorious for locating the Technical Services Department in out-of-the-way places like closets and basements. It's quite common not to have a window if you work as a cataloger.
For all of the years that I worked in the Tower Library (before it was named for the civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois) at UMass/Amherst, I worked in an underground area where there was a view of a window from only a few places. Sometimes I'd go to work in the morning and when I left at the end of the day, the weather was so different I thought the seasons had changed.
Over the last few years, the design of that entire floor has been reconfigured and T.S. staff have been relocated to a section that looks out onto the Tippo Courtyard that looks like a beautiful postcard regardless of the time of year.
When I was a consultant for the Western and Central Mass. Regional Library Systems, I visited many libraries where Technical Services was located in some remote part of the building. I understand that libraries want patrons to see the best of the building and therefore staff who work with patrons do so in well-lit, attractive areas. Unfortunately, that sometimes leaves those who work behind the scenes in whatever is left - often basements or interior rooms.
Since I now work as a contract cataloger and my project is usually temporary, my desk is sometimes tucked where there is barely enough room. One of the places (several years ago) was actually the computer closet of a library. For 2 days each week for several months, I listened to the hum of the routers and servers as I created bib records. It was warm in there, but because of all the computer equipment, it was never allowed to get too hot.
I still spend more time than I like in windowless rooms, but I'm happy to report that several of the projects on which I'm working take place in lovely areas with lots of natural light.
If you happen to be involved in a library building project or renovation, please remember that there's lots of non-public library work to be done and those who do that work, do it better in pleasant surroundings.
Libraries are notorious for locating the Technical Services Department in out-of-the-way places like closets and basements. It's quite common not to have a window if you work as a cataloger.
For all of the years that I worked in the Tower Library (before it was named for the civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois) at UMass/Amherst, I worked in an underground area where there was a view of a window from only a few places. Sometimes I'd go to work in the morning and when I left at the end of the day, the weather was so different I thought the seasons had changed.
Over the last few years, the design of that entire floor has been reconfigured and T.S. staff have been relocated to a section that looks out onto the Tippo Courtyard that looks like a beautiful postcard regardless of the time of year.
When I was a consultant for the Western and Central Mass. Regional Library Systems, I visited many libraries where Technical Services was located in some remote part of the building. I understand that libraries want patrons to see the best of the building and therefore staff who work with patrons do so in well-lit, attractive areas. Unfortunately, that sometimes leaves those who work behind the scenes in whatever is left - often basements or interior rooms.
Since I now work as a contract cataloger and my project is usually temporary, my desk is sometimes tucked where there is barely enough room. One of the places (several years ago) was actually the computer closet of a library. For 2 days each week for several months, I listened to the hum of the routers and servers as I created bib records. It was warm in there, but because of all the computer equipment, it was never allowed to get too hot.
I still spend more time than I like in windowless rooms, but I'm happy to report that several of the projects on which I'm working take place in lovely areas with lots of natural light.
If you happen to be involved in a library building project or renovation, please remember that there's lots of non-public library work to be done and those who do that work, do it better in pleasant surroundings.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Getting Sloppy
Not with my cataloging. NEVER!
For the last few weeks, when I wake up, rather than practicing Yoga or Pilates or going for a walk, I've been brewing a cup of coffee and toasting a slice or two of whole wheat bread. Then I sit on the sofa and watch the birds at the feeder and listen to the waterfall on the very little pond we've constructed near the house.
But as cozy as that scene is, I'm noticing that I feel stiffer and I'm not sleeping as well at night (although that could be caused by the suddenly hot and humid weather). So this morning (Monday is always a good day to begin good habits) I put on one of the easier Yoga audio tapes and spent 45 minutes stretching and breathing.
Then I brewed a cup of coffee and toasted 2 slices of whole wheat bread.
My perpetually changing schedule makes it difficult for me to get into a routine of exercising, but that's something I really need to work on. Last week I started my new project at MassCat cleaning up that database. I'm finding possible duplicate bibliographic records, determining if they really are duplicates, and merging all of the libraries' holdings onto one. I'm also upgrading skimpy records that were imported from other systems when the library joined MassCat. It's tedious work, but very gratifying. MassCat will have a squeeky clean database when I'm finished with it.
Cataloging for the private O'More Library is nearly complete so I only have to make one or two more trips to Cambridge.
And I need to start seriously preparing for LIS415. Now that I've re-energized my exercise program, can that be far behind?
For the last few weeks, when I wake up, rather than practicing Yoga or Pilates or going for a walk, I've been brewing a cup of coffee and toasting a slice or two of whole wheat bread. Then I sit on the sofa and watch the birds at the feeder and listen to the waterfall on the very little pond we've constructed near the house.
But as cozy as that scene is, I'm noticing that I feel stiffer and I'm not sleeping as well at night (although that could be caused by the suddenly hot and humid weather). So this morning (Monday is always a good day to begin good habits) I put on one of the easier Yoga audio tapes and spent 45 minutes stretching and breathing.
Then I brewed a cup of coffee and toasted 2 slices of whole wheat bread.
My perpetually changing schedule makes it difficult for me to get into a routine of exercising, but that's something I really need to work on. Last week I started my new project at MassCat cleaning up that database. I'm finding possible duplicate bibliographic records, determining if they really are duplicates, and merging all of the libraries' holdings onto one. I'm also upgrading skimpy records that were imported from other systems when the library joined MassCat. It's tedious work, but very gratifying. MassCat will have a squeeky clean database when I'm finished with it.
Cataloging for the private O'More Library is nearly complete so I only have to make one or two more trips to Cambridge.
And I need to start seriously preparing for LIS415. Now that I've re-energized my exercise program, can that be far behind?
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Another Job Application
MassCat is looking for a temporary, part-time cataloger. Guess what? That's just what I am/do.
Yesterday, I updated my resume, wrote a cover letter, decided the 3 people who could best attest to my skills in this capacity and put their names and contact information on a separate sheet of references. Then I emailed everything to the MassCat manager. Now I wait.
It shouldn't be too long since the ad said review of applications begins June 3. That's Friday.
As I approach my 1 year anniversary of being laid off (or being self-employed, depending how you look at it), I find myself beginning a period of reassessment. A year ago, I was seriously contemplating a new career. What I'm doing now is a career shift. Do I want to stay here? Do I want to put in the time and effort either to put my knowledge and skills toward something entirely different or to develop entirely new knowledge and skills?
On the last day of classes at Simmons west, one of my students was telling me she wasn't sure what she would do - or even be able to do - with this degree she had begun to pursue. She said she had just turned 60. This is the time many people begin contemplating retirement - not a career.
I've been working with a financial advisor looking at my various retirement funds and calculating the best use of them. As long as I am also able to produce income, I might as well. But it would be a relief knowing that if that next part-time temporary position does not come along, I'll still be able to eat.
Or, who knows, maybe I'll win the lottery!
The journey continues.
Yesterday, I updated my resume, wrote a cover letter, decided the 3 people who could best attest to my skills in this capacity and put their names and contact information on a separate sheet of references. Then I emailed everything to the MassCat manager. Now I wait.
It shouldn't be too long since the ad said review of applications begins June 3. That's Friday.
As I approach my 1 year anniversary of being laid off (or being self-employed, depending how you look at it), I find myself beginning a period of reassessment. A year ago, I was seriously contemplating a new career. What I'm doing now is a career shift. Do I want to stay here? Do I want to put in the time and effort either to put my knowledge and skills toward something entirely different or to develop entirely new knowledge and skills?
On the last day of classes at Simmons west, one of my students was telling me she wasn't sure what she would do - or even be able to do - with this degree she had begun to pursue. She said she had just turned 60. This is the time many people begin contemplating retirement - not a career.
I've been working with a financial advisor looking at my various retirement funds and calculating the best use of them. As long as I am also able to produce income, I might as well. But it would be a relief knowing that if that next part-time temporary position does not come along, I'll still be able to eat.
Or, who knows, maybe I'll win the lottery!
The journey continues.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Be Careful What You Wish For
A couple of years ago while I was still employed at CMRLS, I was going through an annual review with my supervisor. We were discussing the typical kind of things: What had I accomplished? What goals was I not able to complete and why? What did I plan to do during the next fiscal year? Another question asked: What did I like least about my job? My answer? I wish I had a chance to do more cataloging. I missed it. When I was hired by CMRLS, the organization was specifically looking for a cataloger. There were a few different collections of books that were loaned to member libraries, but a couple of years after I started, it was decided to focus the limited resources on services rather than books. The professional collection, the books on all aspects of Library Science, remained, but cataloging them amounted to a few hours every month or so. Now, with my various jobs, I catalog all day, every day. I use a variety of Integrated Library Systems, but I look at bibliographic records and MARC codes all the time. At Springfield City Library I catalog games, toys and puzzles for the Early Childhood Resource Collection. I catalog DVDs and CDs for the main library and its branches. Through Donohue Group, Inc., I'm working on a major retrospective conversion project for the Boston Public Library using their old catalog cards, as well as a small private collection of books focusing on philosphy, spirituality, literature, and related topics. I also spend a day or so each month at a small engineering college. And then there's LIS 415. While I'm not actually cataloging, I'm spending much time thinking and talking about cataloging and all of its various components. I should be happy, right? Isn't this what I wanted? Like the various and sundry jokes that use "Be careful what you wish for" as the punchline, I should have been more specific. Instead of old catalog cards, instead of books on archane and esoteric topics, instead of unfamiliar foreign languages, instead of DVDs and other media that are difficult (at best) to figure out, I had envisioned pretty, new, simple, current, easy materials. I had been away from cataloging just long enough that I was remembering only the ideal and not the reality. Another wish I have is to remain mentally alert for many, many years. With all of the intellectual exercise I get cataloging various and sundry items, I doubt I'll have to worry about loss of mental acuity for a long time. So I guess I'll stop complaining and appreciate the positive aspects of obscure foreign languages.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
8 Days a Week
My work life lately feels like the title to a Beatles' song. I suppose I should be grateful - and I am. It's nice to know that my skills are valued and that people want me working on their various projects. And that I'm earning enough money to pay the bills.
Yesterday I traveled to Middleborough (nearly to Cape Cod) to teach a Continuing Ed. workshop on MARC records for the Mass. Library System (MLS). Fifteen women attended and there was a real range of experience. Some were brand new, but most had been doing their jobs for a while and wanted to make sure they were doing the right things. Many had learned "on the job" and wanted the "official" take on what they do. Others had Masters' degrees in Library Science and wanted a review. There was lots of good discussion and the attendees seemed very pleased. I know I was.
Later that evening I spent a few hours grading papers for LIS415. I'm so glad this is spring break and I don't have to teach on Saturday. I need the breather.
Today, I'm off to Springfield City Library to catalog more games, puzzles and toys for the Early Childhood Resource Collection (ECRC). I'll be working on the item records and attaching the descriptions I created to digital images.
Then I'll spend the rest of the week at the DGI offices in Windsor, CT converting cataloging information for the Boston Public Library from cards to electronic records.
As far as I know, I'll be busy like this till June 30 when the grant money expires for the ECRC and BPL projects. We'll see what happens after that.
Yesterday I traveled to Middleborough (nearly to Cape Cod) to teach a Continuing Ed. workshop on MARC records for the Mass. Library System (MLS). Fifteen women attended and there was a real range of experience. Some were brand new, but most had been doing their jobs for a while and wanted to make sure they were doing the right things. Many had learned "on the job" and wanted the "official" take on what they do. Others had Masters' degrees in Library Science and wanted a review. There was lots of good discussion and the attendees seemed very pleased. I know I was.
Later that evening I spent a few hours grading papers for LIS415. I'm so glad this is spring break and I don't have to teach on Saturday. I need the breather.
Today, I'm off to Springfield City Library to catalog more games, puzzles and toys for the Early Childhood Resource Collection (ECRC). I'll be working on the item records and attaching the descriptions I created to digital images.
Then I'll spend the rest of the week at the DGI offices in Windsor, CT converting cataloging information for the Boston Public Library from cards to electronic records.
As far as I know, I'll be busy like this till June 30 when the grant money expires for the ECRC and BPL projects. We'll see what happens after that.
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