New cataloger training

Summary: Resources for training a new copy or original cataloger in the basics of descriptive work.

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Suggested training progression & resources

TS employee basics

Some of this will overlap with the HR orientation checklist, but this makes sure TS-specific info is also included.

• tour of the building & introductions

• keys and entrances and library hours

• units within Tech Services and their purpose

• tour of the TS area

• CMS meetings

• larger library organization

• intranet and staff directory

• safety info

• sysdoc, facilities, supplies, ergo

• any computer training needed? Office Suite, etc.?

• send out introductory email

• a review of the annual evaluation process

• time tracking

• leave --> EBS

• hours worked --> SMART system (for CTs only)

• University policies

• other HR checklist stuff

Cataloging theory and practice overview

• principles

  • FRBR/LRM --> mapping entities & relationships between them in the bibliographic universe

  • neutrality --> historical expectation of catalogers, but much more complex than that

  • access --> accommodating different types of searching, online and in person

• types of standards

  • descriptive standards

  • encoding standards

  • controlled vocabularies & authority control

  • classification

• cooperative cataloging & shared records

• library database software

• distinction between copy and original cataloging

  • local parameters surrounding LA III and LA IV work

• cataloging aids -- cheat sheets, bookmarks, etc.

Cataloging standards in depth

• Organizations that contribute to and maintain cataloging standards & practice

  • Library of Congress (LC) 

    • not truly a national library, but still viewed as an authoritative body for policy shaping and procedures

    • creator of:

      • LC classification scheme

      • LC subject headings (controlled vocabulary)

      • LC genre/form terms (controlled vocabulary)

  • Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC)

    • sponsored by LC cataloging division, home to:

      • Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO)

        • oversees creation and maintenance of name authority records

      • Subject Authority Cooperative Program (SACO)

        • subject authority records

      • BIBCO -- standard for highest-quality bibliographic records

  • RDA Steering Committee (RSC)

    • international cooperative group maintaining RDA

  • OCLC

    • host of WorldCat database & creator of Connexion cataloging client

    • usually no direct role in shaping cataloging policy, but so many institutions subscribe to their database that OCLC quality control and data practices heavily inform routine cataloging practice

    • ongoing work to perform quality control of and programmatic enhancements to records in the WorldCat database

• RDA for copy catalogers

• RDA resources

  • Toolkit

  • Maxwell

• MARC bibliographic basics (6 min)

• Introduction to MARC tagging (40 min)

• Purpose of controlled vocabs and authority work

• Introduction to LCSH webinar

• Authority control YouTube series

• MARC authority control tutorial

Sierra specifics

• types of records in Sierra

  • item

  • order

  • check-in

  • authority

  • bib

  • diagram of these records and their interactions:

• Sierra settings & preferences

• indexing 

• searching

• public catalog display

• Create Lists

Connexion training

• Client overview

• Module 1 - WorldCat, MARC, and Client Basics (1 hr 40 min)

• Module 2 - Basic Bibliographic Searching (1 hr 14 min)

• Module 3 - Basic Editing & Record Processing (1 hr 47 min)

• Module 4 - Save Files, File Management, and Batch Processing (1 hr 18 min)

  • can skip batch processing if desired!

• Module 5 - Automation and Customization (1 hr 22 min)

  • discuss constant data

• Module 6 - Editing Master Records (1 hr 26 min)

• Module 7 - Advanced Bibliographic Searching (1 hr 49 min)

• Module 8 - Original Cataloging (1 hr 42 min)

• Module 9 - Authority Control (1 hr 25 min)

Connexion practice

• search for records using:

  • copycat problem backlog

  • shelf-ready problems

  • T Locs

• attaching holdings

• 949 strings and exporting

 

Local practice and workflows

• an overview of how resources travel to and from your desk (blue actions handled by Acquisitions):

• what all those flags mean

• physical processing

  • locations & stamping

  • writing in call numbers

  • CP labeling truck

  • RUSH process and shelves

• multipart works and how they're cataloged

• continuing resources (at least a basic overview)

• this position's specific responsibilities & workflows

 

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Recommended bookmarks

General info

• New employee checklist

• Library intranet

  • Staff photos

  • Sysdoc

  • Facilities

  • Ergonomic evaluation

  • Hours worked tracking (CTs only)

  • Leave tracking

• Library organizational chart

• Tech Services organizational chart

• Webmail  

 

Cataloging

• MSUL public catalog

• Connexion client training

• MARC bibliographic fields (or "Bib formats," maintained by OCLC)

• MARC code lists 

• ClassWeb

  • ClassWeb how-tos

• Cataloger’s Desktop

• RDA

  • RDA guidelines for core elements

  • RDA instructions for abbreviations for parts

• OCLC encoding levels

• Cataloging calculator 

 

Helpful MSUL TS procedures for beginners

• Call numbers

• Copy cataloging (general guidelines)

• Location chart

• Post-cataloging processing

• Publication dates for monographs

• RDA record elements

• Same or new manifestation?

• Training & reference materials

• 949 commands

 

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