[Videolib] Big Picture Cataloging Advice
Hi Videolibbers, I have a brooding sense that I really am about to ask a pretty dumb question, but this is generally a fairly forgiving listserv. So here it is: our cataloger (i.e. mainly, our media cataloger) has just retired. It's never an expeditious process here to get a position filled (I'm thinking 6 months). In the meantime, we're continuing to receive media. In terms of cataloging knowledge, the rest of the librarians (including myself) are worthless, and though we have a paraprofessional she does only copy cataloging and no media. So, do I have any other options besides waiting? I know a lot of places (Midwest for example) provide MaRC records, but in truth I'm hoping there might exist something more "robust". If not, is it worth the effort for someone here to learn media cataloging if in all likelihood they'll be replacement for my retired colleague... eventually. PS -I think they do a consistently weak job of teaching cataloging (in library school), but I also blame myself for not taking it seriously enough. Mary Hanlin Media Collection Development Librarian Tidewater Community College 120 Campus Drive Portsmouth, VA 23701 P: 757.822.2133 F: 757.822.2149 mhan...@tcc.edu CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information or otherwise be protected by law. Any access, use, disclosure or distribution of this email message by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is unauthorized and prohibited. If you are not an intended recipient (or an agent acting on an intended recipient's behalf), please contact the sender by reply email and immediately destroy all copies of the original message. Virus scanning is recommended on all email attachments. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Help w Establishing video company
Hi It's not really rocket science. You contact the person(s) responsible for acquisition and if they're interested, they'll ask for a screener for consideration. The alternative, of course, is to set up your own lemonade stand on the internet and hope for the best... Maybe our vendor friends on this list will chime in? gary handman > > Hey, > > I'd like to start producing educational videos. Would someone be willing > to explain how the industry works or point me out to web resources. How > does an educational DVD end up with a group like films.com? Do they come > from independent development companies? Are they licensed by films.com? > How does it work? > > James Leftwich > Berkeley College > Director, Westchester Campus Library > 99 Church Street > White Plains, NY 10601 > 914-694-1122 x3370 > j...@berkeleycollege.edu > > > VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of > issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic > control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in > libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve > as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of > communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video > producers and distributors. > Gary Handman Director Media Resources Center Moffitt Library UC Berkeley 510-643-8566 ghand...@library.berkeley.edu http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC "I have always preferred the reflection of life to life itself." --Francois Truffaut VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Help w Establishing video company
Hello, James, Thanks for your interest in producing educational videos. I would be happy to speak with you about Bullfrog Films and our distribution process. John Hoskyns-Abrahall and Winnie Scherrer are filmmakers who founded Bullfrog Films in 1973, and have had lots of experience with the educational market for independent documentaries. I've been with Bullfrog Films since 1987, and could offer some insight into the way Bullfrog Films acquires new titles. Send me an email or call when you have a moment. This is an exciting time for all of us. (She says, smiling.) Best, Elizabeth Stanley Bullfrog Films 800-543-3764 elizab...@bullfrogfilms.com www.bullfrogfilms.com -Original Message- From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of James Leftwich Sent: Monday, April 16, 2012 8:26 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: [Videolib] Help w Establishing video company Hey, I'd like to start producing educational videos. Would someone be willing to explain how the industry works or point me out to web resources. How does an educational DVD end up with a group like films.com? Do they come from independent development companies? Are they licensed by films.com? How does it work? James Leftwich Berkeley College Director, Westchester Campus Library 99 Church Street White Plains, NY 10601 914-694-1122 x3370 j...@berkeleycollege.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Security System Recommendation (Josh Moorman)
Josh, at SLPL we are using the 3M security strips and laminating labels, which cover our discs. They do have some positive attributes. The plastic coating does a nice job of protecting the top sides of discs from being scratched. This has been great, because once the top layer of a disc is marred, they typically produce irreparable defects. Conversely, we have had many problems with the security strips throwing off the balance of discs during playback. This can lead to loud noises during playback (especially in laptops), stuck discs in car CD players, inconsistent playback (skips and stutters) and I have seen one (first hand) destroy a laptop CD drive. When contacting 3M about the problem they denied that their security strips would affect playback. However, when I point blank said, "I have a DVD with a 3M strip that will not play in my player. I have now removed the security label and strips and it plays fine. Please explain." At that point the rep began telling me about differences in tolerance between DVD players. In short, there are some playback issues when using the 3M security strips. My two cents. -Rob Tygett -Original Message- From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of videolib-requ...@lists.berkeley.edu Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 11:19 AM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: videolib Digest, Vol 53, Issue 51 Send videolib mailing list submissions to videolib@lists.berkeley.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://calmail.berkeley.edu/manage/list/listinfo/videolib@lists.berkele y.edu or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to videolib-requ...@lists.berkeley.edu You can reach the person managing the list at videolib-ow...@lists.berkeley.edu When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of videolib digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Security System Recommendation (Josh Moorman) 2. Help w Establishing video company (James Leftwich) 3. FYI - CDL-ALCTS webinar: You Ought to be in Pictures: Bringing Streaming Video to your Library (Deg Farrelly) 4. Wal-Mart Launches Vudu Disc-to-Digital Store Program (Chris Lewis) 5. Big Picture Cataloging Advice (Mary Hanlin) 6. Re: Help w Establishing video company (ghand...@library.berkeley.edu) 7. Re: Help w Establishing video company (Elizabeth Stanley) -- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:59:31 -0700 From: Josh Moorman Subject: [Videolib] Security System Recommendation To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi Everyone, My name is Josh Moorman and I just started as the new Head Librarian at the New York Film Academy - Los Angeles. We're currently looking at upgrading the library in a variety of ways with one of these being the selection, installation, and implementation of a security system for the collection. Almost half of the collection consists of DVD titles with the remainder being books and screenplays. With having the sheer number of options appearing daunting at best, I thought I would ask those on the list who may have experience with a project such as this. Please reply to me off list. Thanks in advance. Best regards. -- *Josh Moorman* *Head Librarian* *New York Film Academy - Los Angeles* *josh.moor...@nyfa.edu* *(818) 295-2021* -- next part -- An HTML attachment scrubbed and removed. HTML attachments are only available in MIME digests. -- Message: 2 Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:26:24 -0400 From: James Leftwich Subject: [Videolib] Help w Establishing video company To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Hey, I'd like to start producing educational videos. Would someone be willing to explain how the industry works or point me out to web resources. How does an educational DVD end up with a group like films.com? Do they come from independent development companies? Are they licensed by films.com? How does it work? James Leftwich Berkeley College Director, Westchester Campus Library 99 Church Street White Plains, NY 10601 914-694-1122 x3370 j...@berkeleycollege.edu -- Message: 3 Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:21:53 + From: Deg Farrelly Subject: [Videolib] FYI - CDL-ALCTS webinar: You Ought to be in Pictures: Bringing Streaming Video to your Library To: "videolib@lists.berkeley.edu" Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I have not seen this posted to the VideoLib list yet Not much notice to you all. I suspect that many of us already know most of this content, but... deg farrelly ASU Libraries Arizona State University P.O. Box 871006 Tempe, Arizona 85287-1006 480.965.1403 _
Re: [Videolib] Security System Recommendation (Josh Moorman)
Thanks for the heads up, Rob. We'll keep playback issues in mind while looking at our options. Although since you're still using the 3M security stripes, does that mean the pros still outweigh the cons with this system? On Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 11:20 AM, Tygett, Rob wrote: > Josh, at SLPL we are using the 3M security strips and laminating labels, > which cover our discs. They do have some positive attributes. The > plastic coating does a nice job of protecting the top sides of discs > from being scratched. This has been great, because once the top layer of > a disc is marred, they typically produce irreparable defects. > Conversely, we have had many problems with the security strips throwing > off the balance of discs during playback. This can lead to loud noises > during playback (especially in laptops), stuck discs in car CD players, > inconsistent playback (skips and stutters) and I have seen one (first > hand) destroy a laptop CD drive. When contacting 3M about the problem > they denied that their security strips would affect playback. However, > when I point blank said, "I have a DVD with a 3M strip that will not > play in my player. I have now removed the security label and strips and > it plays fine. Please explain." At that point the rep began telling me > about differences in tolerance between DVD players. In short, there are > some playback issues when using the 3M security strips. My two cents. > > -Rob Tygett > > -Original Message- > From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu > [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of > videolib-requ...@lists.berkeley.edu > Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 11:19 AM > To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu > Subject: videolib Digest, Vol 53, Issue 51 > > Send videolib mailing list submissions to >videolib@lists.berkeley.edu > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > https://calmail.berkeley.edu/manage/list/listinfo/videolib@lists.berkele > y.edu > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >videolib-requ...@lists.berkeley.edu > > You can reach the person managing the list at >videolib-ow...@lists.berkeley.edu > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of videolib digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Security System Recommendation (Josh Moorman) > 2. Help w Establishing video company (James Leftwich) > 3. FYI - CDL-ALCTS webinar: You Ought to be in Pictures: > Bringing Streaming Video to your Library (Deg Farrelly) > 4. Wal-Mart Launches Vudu Disc-to-Digital Store Program (Chris Lewis) > 5. Big Picture Cataloging Advice (Mary Hanlin) > 6. Re: Help w Establishing video company > (ghand...@library.berkeley.edu) > 7. Re: Help w Establishing video company (Elizabeth Stanley) > > > -- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:59:31 -0700 > From: Josh Moorman > Subject: [Videolib] Security System Recommendation > To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu > Message-ID: > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hi Everyone, > > > > My name is Josh Moorman and I just started as the new Head Librarian at > the > New York Film Academy - Los Angeles. We're currently looking at > upgrading > the library in a variety of ways with one of these being the selection, > installation, and implementation of a security system for the > collection. > Almost half of the collection consists of DVD titles with the remainder > being books and screenplays. With having the sheer number of options > appearing daunting at best, I thought I would ask those on the list who > may > have experience with a project such as this. Please reply to me off > list. > Thanks in advance. Best regards. > -- > *Josh Moorman* > *Head Librarian* > *New York Film Academy - Los Angeles* > *josh.moor...@nyfa.edu* > *(818) 295-2021* > -- next part -- > An HTML attachment scrubbed and removed. > HTML attachments are only available in MIME digests. > > -- > > Message: 2 > Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:26:24 -0400 > From: James Leftwich > Subject: [Videolib] Help w Establishing video company > To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu > Message-ID: > > ge.edu> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII > > > Hey, > > I'd like to start producing educational videos. Would someone be > willing > to explain how the industry works or point me out to web resources. How > does an educational DVD end up with a group like films.com? Do they > come > from independent development companies? Are they licensed by films.com? > How does it work? > > James Leftwich > Berkeley College > Director, Westchester Campus Library > 99 Church Street > White Plains, NY 10601 > 914-694-1122 x3370 > j...@berkeleycollege.edu > > > > > -- > > Message: 3 > Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:21:53 + > From: Deg Farrelly > Subject: [Videolib] FYI
[Videolib] Re: Help w Establishing video company
Hello all, I initially replied directly to James, but since he mentioned us specifically I thought I should share with everyone. There are two sides to what we do: Acquisitions, and Productions. Acquisitions is when a producer (whether large like the BBC, or a small independent shop, or even just a talented and energetic individual) has a finished product, and we craft an agreement to add it to our collection and promote/market/sell it, with royalties going to the producer. We have a large and entrenched distribution network and reach a lot of educators with very targeted marketing. Productions is when a video is created from the ground up. This might be a straight contract job where the producer is a work for hire, paid by us, and then we own the film and keep all revenue from it. Or it could be a situation where we give a modest advance to seed the project, the producer completes it with our input/review, and collects royalties in perpetuity (once the advance is recouped). And there are some other models and shades of gray here creative contract modeling to suit what works best for all parties. There are hybrid situations as well, where a producer has ideas and intends to create certain films, with or without us, but speaks to me for advice, guidance, review, etc., to make sure that the film gets made in a way that suits the market. And when it's done, we license it and pay royalties to the producer like other acquisitions. I'm always on the lookout for new talent, new partners, and new producers. Brad Kloza -- Director of Video Development Infobase Learning Films Media Group - Facts On File Group 132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor New York, NY 10001 VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Security System Recommendation (Josh Moorman)
Rob, What do you do to provide security for your double-sided discs when you can't cover either side? Liz Liz Kielley Technical Services Librarian Messiah College 717-691-6006 x3850 ekiel...@messiah.edu -Original Message- From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Tygett, Rob Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 2:21 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: Re: [Videolib] Security System Recommendation (Josh Moorman) Josh, at SLPL we are using the 3M security strips and laminating labels, which cover our discs. They do have some positive attributes. The plastic coating does a nice job of protecting the top sides of discs from being scratched. This has been great, because once the top layer of a disc is marred, they typically produce irreparable defects. Conversely, we have had many problems with the security strips throwing off the balance of discs during playback. This can lead to loud noises during playback (especially in laptops), stuck discs in car CD players, inconsistent playback (skips and stutters) and I have seen one (first hand) destroy a laptop CD drive. When contacting 3M about the problem they denied that their security strips would affect playback. However, when I point blank said, "I have a DVD with a 3M strip that will not play in my player. I have now removed the security label and strips and it plays fine. Please explain." At that point the rep began telling me about differences in tolerance between DVD players. In short, there are some playback issues when using the 3M security strips. My two cents. -Rob Tygett -Original Message- From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of videolib-requ...@lists.berkeley.edu Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 11:19 AM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: videolib Digest, Vol 53, Issue 51 Send videolib mailing list submissions to videolib@lists.berkeley.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://calmail.berkeley.edu/manage/list/listinfo/videolib@lists.berkele y.edu or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to videolib-requ...@lists.berkeley.edu You can reach the person managing the list at videolib-ow...@lists.berkeley.edu When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of videolib digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Security System Recommendation (Josh Moorman) 2. Help w Establishing video company (James Leftwich) 3. FYI - CDL-ALCTS webinar: You Ought to be in Pictures: Bringing Streaming Video to your Library (Deg Farrelly) 4. Wal-Mart Launches Vudu Disc-to-Digital Store Program (Chris Lewis) 5. Big Picture Cataloging Advice (Mary Hanlin) 6. Re: Help w Establishing video company (ghand...@library.berkeley.edu) 7. Re: Help w Establishing video company (Elizabeth Stanley) -- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:59:31 -0700 From: Josh Moorman Subject: [Videolib] Security System Recommendation To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi Everyone, My name is Josh Moorman and I just started as the new Head Librarian at the New York Film Academy - Los Angeles. We're currently looking at upgrading the library in a variety of ways with one of these being the selection, installation, and implementation of a security system for the collection. Almost half of the collection consists of DVD titles with the remainder being books and screenplays. With having the sheer number of options appearing daunting at best, I thought I would ask those on the list who may have experience with a project such as this. Please reply to me off list. Thanks in advance. Best regards. -- *Josh Moorman* *Head Librarian* *New York Film Academy - Los Angeles* *josh.moor...@nyfa.edu* *(818) 295-2021* -- next part -- An HTML attachment scrubbed and removed. HTML attachments are only available in MIME digests. -- Message: 2 Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:26:24 -0400 From: James Leftwich Subject: [Videolib] Help w Establishing video company To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Hey, I'd like to start producing educational videos. Would someone be willing to explain how the industry works or point me out to web resources. How does an educational DVD end up with a group like films.com? Do they come from independent development companies? Are they licensed by films.com? How does it work? James Leftwich Berkeley College Director, Westchester Campus Library 99 Church Street White Plains, NY 10601 914-694-1122 x3370 j...@berkeleycollege.edu -- Message: 3 Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:21:53 + From: Deg Farrelly
Re: [Videolib] Big Picture Cataloging Advice
I think it depends on the volume of your ordering and the level of demand for "immediate" use. If a WorldCat/Connexion record is poor or non-existent, we do "quick-and-dirty" cataloging with the best record that can be found -- just enough to be able to identify it and charge it out. When there is a lull in the demand, you can get it back and do a more thorough job. You might consider getting your videos from Midwest Tape or Action! Library Media Service. We do not use either one at this time, but it is my understanding that both companies supply catalog records. Don't call yourself "worthless," but since you are Media Collection Development, it would serve you well to know the basics in terms of cataloging policies & practices. Your retiree's replacement will likely need someone to consult. And you're right: I wanted to be a cataloger when I was in library school back in the 1970s. The instruction back then was terrible, and perhaps it is even worse now. This is unfortunate: cataloging is a really important job but not a very sexy one. It's a wonder that any new graduates want to do it. On 4/17/2012 10:48 AM, Mary Hanlin wrote: Hi Videolibbers, I have a brooding sense that I really am about to ask a pretty dumb question, but this is generally a fairly forgiving listserv. So here it is: our cataloger (i.e. mainly, our media cataloger) has just retired. It's never an expeditious process here to get a position filled (I'm thinking 6 months). In the meantime, we're continuing to receive media. In terms of cataloging knowledge, the rest of the librarians (including myself) are worthless, and though we have a paraprofessional she does only copy cataloging and no media. So, do I have any other options besides waiting? I know a lot of places (Midwest for example) provide MaRC records, but in truth I'm hoping there might exist something more "robust". If not, is it worth the effort for someone here to learn media cataloging if in all likelihood they'll be replacement for my retired colleague... eventually. PS --I think they do a consistently weak job of teaching cataloging (in library school), but I also blame myself for not taking it seriously enough. Mary Hanlin Media Collection Development Librarian Tidewater Community College 120 Campus Drive Portsmouth, VA 23701 P: 757.822.2133 F: 757.822.2149 mhan...@tcc.edu CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information or otherwise be protected by law. Any access, use, disclosure or distribution of this email message by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is unauthorized and prohibited. If you are not an intended recipient (or an agent acting on an intended recipient's behalf), please contact the sender by reply email and immediately destroy all copies of the original message. Virus scanning is recommended on all email attachments. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. -- Helen P. Mack, Acquisitions Librarian Lehigh University, Linderman Library 30 Library Drive Bethlehem, PA 18015-3013 USA Phone 610 758-3035 * Fax 610 758-5605 E-mail h...@lehigh.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Big Picture Cataloging Advice
Ah, a video cataloging question; where to begin? These are heady days in cataloging. The Library of Congress has announced that they are changing to the new cataloging rules titled RDA (for Resource Description and Access) after years of following the current AACR2r (Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd edition, revised) rules. As its title implies, AACR2 followed AACR1, though of course the "1" was merely implied until "2" came along. RDA changes--or attempts to change--the entire perspective of how cataloging is undertaken. The fact that LC is changing to RDA means all of their cataloging output will be in RDA format beginning April 1, 2013. Until then LC is outputting both AACR and RDA records with RDA gradually replacing AACR-- or so the plan is. For book cataloging LC's change means libraries will either have to change to RDA or start doing a good bit more fiddling with LC-supplied records. But since LC is hardly a prolific producer of cataloging records for videos, this factor won't be as important for video collections, but if media cataloging goes the way of book cataloging, academic libraries, research libraries, and large public libraries seem most likely to adopt RDA. Therefore, depending on your cataloging needs, your next media cataloger may well need to be trained in RDA. FWIW LC's video cataloging output follows archival cataloging rules which aren't specifically designed for circulating collections. Which brings me to the state of library school cataloging education. >From the original poster: "PS -I think they do a consistently weak job of >teaching cataloging (in library school)" Perhaps not surprisingly, many catalogers agree with the above statement. In my case I had two very good cataloging instructors 20 years ago at the University of Iowa, but it can be an overwhelmingly technical and detail-oriented course of study. Two problems with the teaching of cataloging in 2012 are that not that many library schools do it (it's not required at most library schools anymore), and that we're emerging from a period of uncertainty--sometimes resembling a pitched battle--about adopting RDA or not, and this comes after several previous years of debate, argument, and turmoil in the cataloging world during the writing of RDA. RDA is a product of committee development, and it tends to show in the writing. I like Helen Mack's suggestion as far as a practical approach: "I think it depends on the volume of your ordering and the level of demand for "immediate" use. If a WorldCat/Connexion record is poor or non-existent, we do "quick-and-dirty" cataloging with the best record that can be found -- just enough to be able to identify it and charge it out. When there is a lull in the demand, you can get it back and do a more thorough job." Assuming you are not required to load your records to a consortium or utility that has unattainable technical requirements, this sort of record might function well enough in your local system, but the danger is that you'll accumulate quite a backlog in need of more attention. I also like Helen's suggestion of seeking out a vendor that will provide cataloging for your acquisitions. We do that, but we don't have the selection that Midwest has. We encounter Midwest's records on OCLC fairly frequently, and they know what they're doing. In fact, you could probably pick up some tips on how to fill out your local records by looking at records in OCLC. Also from Helen Mack: "The instruction back then was terrible, and perhaps it is even worse now. This is unfortunate: cataloging is a really important job but not a very sexy one. It's a wonder that any new graduates want to do it." It hasn't gotten any sexier, thought the RDA/AACR battles have made the listservs more interesting or at least incendiary. RDA is touted as allowing library cataloging to interact better on the "Semantic Web," which will be quite a boon if the semantic web ever becomes a reality, but in any case RDA does have a more information science-oriented application and is less library-centric (some catalogers think this is a good idea, others disagree). I would suggest looking for a job applicant with a strong database/info sci background and an MLS. The specific cataloging training can be picked up through online discussions and utilizing resources mentioned frequently on cataloging discussion lists like Autocat and OLAC-L (OnLine Audiovisual Catalogers electronic discussion list). Bottomline: ask the applicants if they know anything about RDA. Mike Tribby Senior Cataloger Quality Books Inc. The Best of America's Independent Presses mailto:mike.tri...@quality-books.com VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list wi
