----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Peter,
Just checking, I presume you want me to distribute this to the local group?
Some people don't subscribe to ARLIS-L and want to read the CDG minutes.
Good notes, by the way. They capture the feeling of the meeting as well as
the substance.
Danny
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Peter Gammie [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 9:27 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Catalogers' Discussion Group minutes- resent
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Minutes of the CDG Meeting, 11/29/99
>
> The most recent meeting of ARLIS-NY's Catalogers' Discussion Group was
> held on Nov. 29, 1999 at the Pierpont Morgan Library , and was chaired
> by Elizabeth O'Keefe of the Morgan.
>
> The topics discussed related to standard documentation for catalogers
> and catalog users. Cataloger's Desktop is widely used at libraries such
> as MOMA, Columbia, FIT and the Morgan Library, and as such was a
> starting point for discussion. At Columbia librarians suffered system
> crashes and expressed reluctance to part with the paper version of
> USMARC and other cataloging tools. It emerged that learning how to use
> Cataloger's Desktop is largely a matter of instinct and individual trial
> and error for many, although librarians at Columbia noted that Cornell
> has developed useful in-house documentation.
>
> With the days of LCNAF's availabilty via LC 's telnet connection
> numbered, concern was expressed that authority records will only be
> available by searching RLIN or OCLC--it is uncertain that LC will make
> these available for free again. At the Frick, authority files are
> purchsed annually, and additional records are occasionally passed onto
> their OPAC during the course of the year. Sherman Clarke of NYU noted
> that relying on RLIN or OCLC for authority control can lead to gaps in
> up-to-dateness. LCSH is available on NYU's Bobcat, and Sherman noted
> that end users often bewail finding subject headings which do no
> correlate with materials held by the library, though users are
> forewarned of this possibility in advance.
>
> AAT was also missed as a possible component of Cataloger's Desktop-while
> there is a link to this posted via Cataloger's Desktop, it is not easy
> to use, with its confusing system of hierarchies and the absence of
> explanations regarding the derivations of terms. Still other links from
> Cataloger's Desktop were found to be obsolete.
>
> Few present employed the LC classification scheme which is available as
> a separate component of Cataloger's Desktop, as local schemes are widely
> prevalent. Many rely on Word documents for this . Hotlinks can now be
> inserted to facilitate usage of these schemes, though few seemed to have
> employed these as of yet.
>
> Interestingly, many catalogers are loath to relinquish their outdated
> RLIN cataloging manuals, preferring to annotate them or simply use with
> caution. The problem is that the documentation provided by RLG'swebsite
> is parsimonious in comparison with its old paper format, which provided
> useful examples still valued by catalogers. And the constant scrolling
> involved at RLG's site is bothersome. Some librarians prefer to print
> out documentation and save the hard copy.
>
> The second part of the discussion dealt with the documenation of
> cataloging procedures and work flow. Experiences varied widely. For
> example, librarians at Columbia use NOTIS, which hasn't had any new
> releases lately but rather bug fixes, etc. The librarians have compiled
> their own documentation, while systems people apprise them of new
> developments with related software. In general, word-of-mouth is still
> prevalent in the cataloging community where systems are concerned,
> although there are useful documents concerning local procedures and
> cataloging resources posted on library web pages. Yale and Princeton
> have posted cataloging resources, while the Librarian's Resource Center
> in Toronto also has useful links. Columbia and the Frick have posted
> useful documents as well. Many librarians consult Cataloguer's Toolbox.
>
> Additionally, the listserves of vendors such as Voyager are good
> sources of information, though one must have a contract to use some of
> these. The archives of the Voyager listserv are posted at
> http://sparky.gmu.edu/waiscom/voy-l.html.
>
>
> The third portion of the meeting concerned documentation for OPAC users.
> At libraries such as MOMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, end users
> benefit from the fact that librarians perform both reference and
> cataloging functions. It was generally agreed that compiling "frequently
> asked questions" tips seemed to work well, as people are more
> comfortable with instruction in this way than with printed guides. Some
> users find personalized instruction unwelcome, fearing the appearance of
> ignorance or invasion of privacy. However, as Janette Rozene of FIT and
> others noted, searching an OPAC's search history log will provide an
> interesting glimpse into end user behavior. Many abandon hope after
> deploying faulty search strategies. Some type foul words into the system
> in frutration. Misspellings and the inclusion of articles are common
> stumbling blocks. On the other hand, end users provide useful
> information regarding errors in cataloging, particularly in spelling.
> Other common complaints centered around differing locations for like
> items, name headings and difficulties arising from the variant spellings
> of words (i.e. color/colour).
>
> The next CDG meeting is slated for January 24th, possibly at NYU's Bobst
> Library.
>
> --
> Peter Gammie
> Cataloger, Reference Collection
> The Pierpont Morgan Library
> 29 East 36th Street
> New York, NY 10016-3403
>
> TEL: 212 685-0008, Ext. 329
> FAX: 212 685-4740
> NET: [log in to unmask]
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> Mail submissions to [log in to unmask]
> Administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc)
> to [log in to unmask]
> ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance:
> http://lsv.uky.edu/archives/arlis-l.html
> Questions may be addressed to list owner at: [log in to unmask]
__________________________________________________________________
Mail submissions to [log in to unmask]
Administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc)
to [log in to unmask]
ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance:
http://lsv.uky.edu/archives/arlis-l.html
Questions may be addressed to list owner at: [log in to unmask]
