Backlogs

Owned by MSU TechServices
Last updated: Jan 08, 2024

Summary: This page contains information about the formal backlogs or arrearages, referred to as T Locs, which are maintained by Tech Services. (T Loc = Temporary location.)

General overview



Full nameMaterial typeProtocol
T Loc HTemporary location - HoldingMonographic, print & non-print
  • Short-term storage for newly received monographs lacking acceptable copy
  • Searched systematically and re-entered if necessary by a designated copy cataloger
  • Copy and original catalogers may both pull work from T Loc H if desired
  • Materials from T Loc H can be relocated to T Loc P if enough time passes to warrant action (a few months is usually a good indication that upgraded copy won't be forthcoming)
T Loc ATemporary location - ArrearageMonographic, print & non-print
  • Long-term storage for materials bumped from T Loc H after a designated period
  • Not searched systematically
  • Original catalogers will monitor and pull from T Loc A
T Loc HSTemporary location - Holding, serialsSerials, print
  • Short-term storage for newly received print serials lacking acceptable copy
  • Serials copy and original catalogers may both pull work from T Loc H if desired
T Loc STemporary location - SerialsSerials, print
  • Long-term storage for materials bumped from T Loc HS
  • Original serial catalogers will monitor and pull from T Loc S
T Loc PTemporary location - ProblemsMonographic, print & non-print
  • Medium-term storage for either new or retrospective materials with straightforward problems that can be resolved by an original cataloger
  • Typically, materials will be moved to T Loc P after a few unsuccessful searches in T Loc H/HS
  • Problem categories include:
    • Multivolume set issues
    • Subject/classification issues
    • Needs NACO work
    • Retrospective – missing or incorrect record
  • Original catalogers will monitor and pull from each category of T Loc P as capacity allows
T Loc NRTemporary location -
Non-Romanized		Monographic & serial, print & non-print
  • Long-term storage for newly received materials in non-Romanized scripts that present search challenges or lack acceptable copy
  • Entered, tracked, and searched periodically by a designated copy cataloger
  • Only designated catalogers should pull work from T Loc NR


Sending a title to a T Loc

  • If an instance for the title is not already present in Inventory, create a new instance (Actions → New)
    • Can be as brief as needed; consider this a placeholder
  • Actions → Edit instance
    • Suppress record (if not suppressed already)
    • Add statistical code using table below
    • Add admin note using table below
  • Save and close
  • Shelve item in appropriate T Loc location, placing it at the back of the queue (shelves will be labeled accordingly)
T LOCSTAT CODEADMIN NOTE
HBacklogs - T Loc H

H [current date]

ABacklogs - T Loc AA [current date]
HSBacklogs - T Loc HSHS [current date]
SBacklogs - T Loc SS [current date]
PBacklogs - T Loc P NACO

P [current date]


Backlogs - T Loc P MultivolP [current date]

Backlogs - T Loc P Subject/classP [current date]

Backlogs - T Loc P RetroP [current date]
NRBacklogs - T Loc NRNR [language/script] [current date]

Cataloging a T Loc'ed title

  • Delete all T Loc stat codes and admin notes from the instance during the cataloging process.
Policies & decisions
  • Newly received print materials lacking acceptable cataloging copy will be assigned to a T Loc in Technical Services.
  • Backlogs are highly organized, which allows for precise tracking of materials. Procedures for entering materials into a specific T Loc should be carefully observed to enable this tracking.
  • Items residing in T Locs can be located and cataloged quickly if needed; staff should contact Kim Wiljanen in Acquisitions to begin this process.


ContactAutumn Faulkner
TeamCMS
UpdatedJanuary 2024
CreatedJanuary 2018