[DCRM-L] Cataloging production outcomes

Tue Nov 1 14:45:41 MDT 2016

Having worked on special collections backlog projects at four different
institutions (two academic, one museum, and one specialized research
library) -- I would say that 2,000 items/year/person is about the best that
one can do.  That's a little over 1 book/hour, and assumes that the person
never attends meetings, gets sick, or takes a vacation.

When I worked as a contractor, the agency used an estimate of original
record = 1 hour; copy record = half hour.  It sounds like your staff is
hitting that estimate almost exactly.

At the University of Florida, our time estimates for cataloging rare
material range from 1-4+ hours, depending on what sorts of access are
needed, what research is involved, etc.  Each project/collection is
discussed with its curator to ensure that we're meeting user needs and
institutional expectations.  This also builds transparency regarding
effort/time allocations.

Time estimates for 'general' collections cataloging are given on our
website: http://cms.uflib.ufl.edu/CatDS/ServicesProvided

Hope that helps,
Allison

On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 4:08 PM, Estelle Markel-Joyet <
emarkel-joyet at amphilsoc.org> wrote:

> I'm no expert, but it took me 3 years to process roughly 5000 books
> (mostly original cataloguing). I'm pretty impressed with your numbers,
> quite frankly. Each one of those tasks requires a tonne of attention and
> care. As the old data-entry saying goes: "Garbage in - Garbage out." Sure,
> you could go faster, but who knows how many mistakes would occur and what
> that would mean for reference. If you pull any job ad for cataloguing, one
> of the top character traits of a good cataloguer is "attention to detail."
>
> I don't envy your position, but I am in awe of your production.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 3:56 PM, Lawler, Martha <Martha.Lawler at lsus.edu>
> wrote:
>
>> Hello all,
>>
>>
>>
>> This topic has been discussed before, so my apologies for bringing it up
>> again.  Our collection is actually owned by a private foundation and the
>> foundation board have been very supportive of our work.  However, one
>> member is questioning why it is taking so long to get everything
>> cataloged.  The whole collection contains approximately 250,000 items and
>> slightly more than 40,000 have been cataloged.  Up until two years ago, I
>> was the only cataloger, so the foundation hired two more catalogers.
>> Together they add about 600 items to the online catalog per month and I add
>> about 100.  At this point, most of what we do is copy-cataloging, which is
>> done using rare book guidelines, even if the item is not particularly
>> special.  I handle the more difficult materials and supervise the general
>> workflow.  All of us also handle other duties, such as reference questions,
>> tour groups, exhibits, etc.  As a faculty member and as the supervisor, I
>> also have other duties that take time away from cataloging.
>>
>>
>>
>> The foundation board, especially this particular member, want us to
>> promote the collection and help researchers, in addition to cataloging,
>> which is fine with us.  I have explained that those activities take away
>> from cataloging and that the amount we accomplish is not too bad.  I have
>> also explained that the extra attention to detail is not only what
>> researchers need, but also creates a more precise inventory record.
>>
>>
>>
>> I am curious to know how other institutions manage the cataloging
>> workflow.  Are we going too slow?  The option of reducing the amount of
>> detail is not what anyone wants.  How do you explain to benefactors (who
>> are not familiar with library work, particularly cataloging) the amount of
>> time and care it takes to create a truly beneficial product?
>>
>>
>>
>> The board meets on Friday and I have been asked to create a report on the
>> status of our cataloging.  I would like to be able to give some idea of how
>> we compare to other cataloging departments.  Any thoughts, comments, etc.
>> would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks so much in advance!
>>
>>
>>
>> *Martha M. Lawler, MLS*
>>
>> *Principal Cataloger*
>>
>> *James Smith Noel Collection*
>>
>> *Louisiana State University Shreveport*
>>
>> Office: (318) 798-4163   Fax: (318) 797-5156
>>
>> Martha.Lawler at lsus.edu
>> <https://connect.emailsrvr.com/owa/redir.aspx?REF=H7FZ4RMQSGOZAqtO5bOiGQwgQEO0cV8uMkMZnkFraYD8iDSWaPTTCAFodHRwczovL2Nvbm5lY3QuZW1haWxzcnZyLmNvbS9vd2EvcmVkaXIuYXNweD9SRUY9WWxKdVZGQy1NLTRzYUtQeHlaQUF6QjQ4VU5ESFNpc1oyZDZCNXU5T2tlTWxVMUdiVl9UVENBRm9kSFJ3Y3pvdkwyTnZibTVsWTNRdVpXMWhhV3h6Y25aeUxtTnZiUzl2ZDJFdmNtVmthWEl1WVhOd2VEOVNSVVk5U2pkRmVVSmtRMmhoZWpGeGRXZFpNRkE1TUVOclJIazNZWGxKVTJKR09XbHNRakpWUVdOdGEyOXlRWE50Ylc1d2RsQlFWRU5CUm5SWlYyeHpaRWM0TmxSWFJubGtSMmhvVEd0NGFHUXllR3hqYTBKell6Tldla3h0Vm10a1VTNHU.>
>> www.lsus.edu
>> <https://connect.emailsrvr.com/owa/redir.aspx?REF=PsGy8Nqvw75KmWiL7M41kQf8WCbmsj03-Qsxhf3nv3X8iDSWaPTTCAFodHRwczovL2Nvbm5lY3QuZW1haWxzcnZyLmNvbS9vd2EvcmVkaXIuYXNweD9SRUY9MUNkanh4SzVHTkpBQU5ZdEx0UmZ3Z1cyeS1vZm9GdUZLQzhQYUlVTW9JWWxVMUdiVl9UVENBRm9kSFJ3Y3pvdkwyTnZibTVsWTNRdVpXMWhhV3h6Y25aeUxtTnZiUzl2ZDJFdmNtVmthWEl1WVhOd2VEOVNSVVk5TUMxbVZpMU9PV0ZCY2swek9XSTVXbDlaWmxabmFsVldkbmQyZDAxUU9IRk1ORzR3U0U4NFZrRmhSWE50Ylc1d2RsQlFWRU5CUm05a1NGSjNUMms0ZG1RelpETk1iWGg2WkZoTmRWcFhVakZNZHk0dQ..>
>>
>> [image: LSUS_Secondary_RGB Purple-Gold_email]
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Estelle Markel-Joyet, MLIS
> Assistant Head of Cataloguing
> emarkel-joyet at amphilsoc.org
>
> American Philosophical Society
> Benjamin Franklin Hall
> 427 Chestnut Street
> Philadelphia, PA 19106
> http://www.amphilsoc.org/
>
> APS Rights & Reproduction Policies:
> http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/rights
>
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