Re: [Videolib] Big Picture Cataloging Advice
OLAC (Online Audiovisual Catalogers, Inc) www.olacinc.orghttp://www.olacinc.org should have some tips for you. This article I co-wrote with our AV cataloger might be helpful: Video Collecting for the Sometimes Media Librarian: Tips and Tricks for Selecting, Purchasing, and Cataloging Videos for an Academic Library. By: Bergman, Barb; Peters, Victoria; Jessica Schomberg. College Undergraduate Libraries, 2007, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p57-77, 21p, 1 Chart; DOI: 10.1300/J106v14n01-05 Good luck in filling the position. ~Barb Barb Bergman | Media Services Interlibrary Loan Librarian | Minnesota State University, Mankato | (507) 389-5945 | barbara.berg...@mnsu.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] 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] 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 will serve as an
