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October 27, 2008
Skillshare: Darlene Nichols, Jennifer Exum and Mei Wang
Mei Wang:
I perform technical processing of Chinese language materials in all formats and subject fields. In line with Asian Library procedures and cataloging rules, assign access points and classification numbers; provide bibliographical description and heading forms; perform editing of usable bibliographic records found on the Connexion database.
I wish to match with a colleague who may share her/his working knowledge of doing Original Cataloging. I am interested in the following: 1. Print (Original)Cataloging Unit 2. Electronic cataloging Unit 3. Description Unit.
I am looking forward to enrich my knowledge of Original Cataloging from a skilled cataloger, which will definitely bring a positive impact on my work.
Jennifer Exum
I do mostly original cataloging for rare materials from Special Collections. Some work is done at my desk, but I also will be starting to go up to Spec and catalog large and fragile items on the spot. Generally the items I handle are pre-19th century books and ephemera. In a typical day I use Aleph to catalog, OCLC connexion to search records, and a variety of print and online sources. I would like to share with a colleague the complexity of the work of a cataloger, and the access I have to rare and unusual materials.
I would like to observe a colleague in public services, as that is an area I have very little experience. Ideally I'd like to work with a reference specialist and get an idea of the type of how they use the records we create in tech services, as well as how library users see them and what sort of questions they might ask.
I would expect to gain a greater understanding of how the very specific work I do is used in the library at large, and just what a typical day is like for a public services librarian. Because I have very little interaction with my colleagues in public services, and next to none with libary users, it can be easy to forget the role of the end user in our work. At the same time, I would love for someone in public services to get a closer look at cataloging and start to understand the process and the work that goes into creating a record. I think we would come out of the experience with a greater understanding for the interconnectedness of public and tech services in the library, which often can seem like two completely different and unrelated worlds.
Darlene Nichols
My first interest would be to observe in cataloging with any cataloging position. I know that cataloging is a complex process and I would be interested in knowing more about how it's done as well as unique activities that go on here at U-M.
I would like to have a deeper understanding of cataloging processes and procedures. I am certain it will broaden my understanding of the library as a whole and give me something to share with users and colleagues.
Posted by dueberb at October 27, 2008 09:05 AM
Comments
After emailing back and forth, we three have met and exchanged schedule. We were all excited and hoped to learn from each other.
I was at UGL reference desk with Darlene last Wednesday afternoon and observed her work as a reference librarian. It was very interesting and helpful to know something outside of my working area within the university library system.
Posted by: meiw at October 27, 2008 05:23 PM
Both Darlene and Mei have come down and observed while I did some original/rare books cataloging, and I spent some time with Darlene at the Grad Reference desk. I will be going up to Asia Library to observe Mei next week. It's been very interesting and educational so far, just to discuss the vast differences in our responsibilities and to have the chance to explain and show books from Special Collections and the way we catalog them, which is a bit different from "regular" cataloging. I look forward to a continuing very beneficial relationship with both Mei and Darlene!
Posted by: jexum at November 7, 2008 10:49 AM
I know that Jennifer has worked reference before, albeit not in a long time. Mei, what was it like to observe reference work? Was it different than you expected? And Darlene, what was it like to see the workings of cataloging (aside from seeing what it's like when I eat a very sugary cupcake)?
Posted by: dsd at November 7, 2008 02:38 PM
I still want to do more observations. Mei and Jen do somewhat different things in that Jen's work often involves more original cataloging and Mei's more copy cataloging. Jen has to actually describe the piece she has in hand to distinguish it from other libraries' holdings of the same item so that researchers know specifically what our copy is like. I never realized that. I got a bit of a thrill seeing the record for the Washington Album in the OPAC later that day after I watched her catalog it (what a geek I am!). I also found watching the macros run when Mei was cataloging very interesting because I was completely unaware that such tools were used. Something that is so very everyday in their operations was fascinating to me.
Posted by: dpn at November 24, 2008 12:47 PM
Deb was right. When I observed Darlene's reference work, I noticed the students came to her not only with the curriculum related questions, but also some trivia that I could never imagine. Whatever the students requests were, they could always get solutions/help from the reference librarians. I was so much impressed by the enthusiasm the reference librarians have when serving our patrons.
I also observed Jen’s work of Original Cataloging. Jen catalogs most of the items from pre-eighteenth century. They are quite different from what I catalog, which are mainly modern publications. I was excited to have got some guidance from Jen in processing the original cataloging. It was a very pleasant and fruitful experience. Moreover, it is beneficial to my work as a cataloger for now and in the future.
Posted by: meiw at November 24, 2008 04:15 PM
Darlene and Jen, is this the record for the Washington Album to which Darlene refers?
http://mirlyn.lib.umich.edu:80/F/?func=direct&doc_number=005882869&local_base=AA_PUB
Posted by: dlhodge at December 9, 2008 03:14 PM
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