Cataloging and Metadata Department
FY07 Annual Report
The department's accomplishments in FY07 underscore the extent to which today's cataloging operations depend on successful collaborations with other areas of the library. To that end, department staff participated on numerous library committees and task groups; volunteered for InfoPoint, reference desks, and RefChat; provided assistance with cataloging software; offered training sessions and roundtables; consulted selectors regularly; supported satellite collections; updated and developed new interdepartmental workflows; resolved problems; and so on. With such active and well-integrated catalogers, it is not surprising that progress was made on a number of fronts as described below and, in greater depth, in the following unit and cooperative program reports:
Copy Cataloging Unit
Science and Social Science Cataloging Unit
Humanities and Special Collections Cataloging Unit
Authorities and Metadata Quality Unit
Principal Serials Cataloger (including CONSER)
The FY00-07 statistics for the Copy Cataloging Unit, Humanities and Special Collections Cataloging Unit, and Science and Social Science Cataloging Unit document a continuing shift in production with decreases in copy cataloging and increases in original cataloging. This trend is fueled by the growing reliance on record delivery through PromptCat and other sources. As a result, the Copy Cataloging Unit has been able over the last few years to handle more complex copy cataloging records and expand its coverage of non-print material, thus freeing higher level catalogers to focus on original cataloging needs.
In addition to the work described under particular goals below, the following were significant this year:
- Original cataloging reported in the FY00-FY07 statistics noted above increased by 24% (following a 21.5% increase reported last year). This includes 1,875+ original monograph records, 100+ serial records, and numerous authority records for IFAS reports and Hildebrand Collection material to be scanned by the Digital Library Center (these records were contributed to OCLC only).
- Copy cataloging declined by 38%
- CONSER overall contributions increased by 13% (following an 88% increase reported last year) with significant gains noted for full-level record creation and authentication as well as maintenance of both CONSER and non-CONSER records.
- NACO contributions dipped slightly by 4%; BIBCO contributions decreased by 30%
- Catalog Problems e-mail service received high marks in a user survey: 92% of respondents said they were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the service; 96% said they would recommend the service to others
Also, the department:
- Set up 26 new computers, reformatted the old computers, and updated inventories
- Trained staff and transferred batchloading responsibility for Serials Solutions and Books 24x7 records to AcqLic's E-Resources Unit and PromptCat records to AcqLic's Monographs Unit
- Gained NACO independence for Chinese personal names
- Participated in the antique map mini-grant - provided training for OPS staffperson, attended workshops, and reduced cataloging backlog
- Cataloged 316 e-resource Baldwin records for inclusion in PALMM
- Coordinated serial adds workflow with AcqLic's Serials Unit and shifted the bulk of the cataloging to the Serials Unit
- Worked closely with Access Services on workflow changes necessitated by the Library West reopening
- Supported special projects, e.g., ILL Books on Demand, Name-A-Book
- Collaborated with Access Services to streamline the online request forms for rush requests and expand the number of IPS on which holds may be placed
- Provided guidance and technical support to incorporate the Harn Museum Bishop Study Center as a new satellite collection
A comprehensive batchload record count, which includes batchloading handled by the Acquisitions and Licensing Department, is maintained by the Authority and Metadata Quality Unit. The unit's FY07 activity included:
3,295 2,946 12,248 18,489 -1,270 5,897 4,054 9,951 27,170 1,548 32 7 347 1,010 2
Improve interface between Aleph and WorldCat/Open Worldcat
- Implement process for updating serial and set holdings in OCLC
- Staff attended NEFLIN workshop in fall to learn about process for updating serials manually
- Subsequent discussions with OCLC led to efforts to batchload serial holdings
- Experimented with extracting and refining data, and sent sample file to OCLC in June
- Currently iIn process of correcting errors with plans to resubmit file this fall
- Identify and correct additional inaccurate or missing data
- Ongoing activity
- Developed a growing list of data problems recorded in the TSPC Swiki
Prepare for Aleph upgrade to Version 18
- Participated in discussions and planning for the upgrade (TS Aleph Implementation Group minutes)
- Reviewed test data and reported problems
- Assigned cataloging liaisons to departments and units across the library
- Training Committee members created documentation and conducted training sessions
Participate in reclassification projects for material in branches
- Supported reclass efforts as requested
- Completed the reclass of Library West videos from LC call numbers to accession numbers
- Reclassed 350 newspaper microfilm titles, primarily for Florida cities
- Implemented workflow for reclassing loaned ALF items
Develop non-MARC metadata workflows (EAD, MODS)
- Established process for copy catalogers to support EAD creation and created 84 EAD records for a variety of archival collections
- Collaborated with the Digital Library Center on a template to revise dLOC METS files from partner institutions; Digital Projects Metadata Librarian trained selected department staff in its use
- Mapped local subject headings to AAT for ARTE Collection in dLOC
- Revised METS files for Soil Survey reports in Food and Agriculture Collection
- Other activities documented by the Digital Projects Metadata Librarian
Investigate options for a single bib interface in catalog
- Implemented use of PUBLIC OWN across system (guideline)
Assess impact of LC series decision and make adjustments
- Maintained commitment to review and update series headings in keeping with PCC policy
- Used post-cataloging reports, developed by AcqLic's Technical Support Unit, to identify and correct series headings
- High level of series creation and revision among PCC institutions minimized the impact on cataloging workflow
Support Special and Area Studies Collections Department cataloging priorities (e.g., Cooper Science Collection)
- Developed guide for cataloging Cooper Science Collection and cataloged 75%+ by summer 2007
- Cataloged items for the Rare Book, Belk, Baldwin, Florida History, and other collections (e.g., Spindlewood, Spanish Civil War) as needed (details)
Collaborate with FCLA to develop and employ authority maintenance reports
- Continued to work closely with FCLA and the SUL Authorities Subcommittee to develop authority reports and centralize authority maintenance when possible
- Migrated macro generation for corrected headings (COR) reports to FCLA
Expand formats handled by Copy Cataloging
- Copy Cataloging Unit incorporated sound discs, documentary films, atlases, items with loose maps, cd-roms, and microform into its cataloging workflow
Batchload backlog of Marcive records (detailed statistics - scroll to bottom of page)
- E-resource records brought current and are kept up-to-date
- Print and microform records current through January 2005 - these were deemed a lower priority than the e-resource records because there are brief records in the system created by Documents staff
Enhance cataloging statistics report to support manager needs as well as to contribute data to local and ARL statistics databases
- Collaborated with AcqLic's Technical Support Unit to update statistics macro (plus many others) for Aleph 18 client
- Other improvements ongoing - plan to make further inroads when the replacement system for the RS stats database is developed
Provide cataloging support for NEH Baldwin grant
-
Grant catalogers cataloged 3,157 titles (detailed Baldwin cataloging statistics)
- Contributed .30 cost share through October 2006
-
Phase III awarded in late spring to take effect October 1, 2007
Prepared by: Betsy
Simpson
September 2007
