[DCRM-L] Cataloging production outcomes

Thu Nov 3 08:10:28 MDT 2016

The problem with shoehorning rare book cataloging into production
estimates, like the number of pies rolling off a factory assembly line, is
that rare book cataloging is a *scholarly *activity. It requires research
and often requires the cataloger to acquire some historical information
that s/he did not possess prior to the item in hand landing on the desk.
This seems to be lost on many library directors, who conceive of special
collections cataloging as a clerical activity.

Sometimes a seemingly innocent little book will take an inordinate amount
of time to properly peg, whilst at other times an incunable, because of the
tremendously detailed amount of literature that has been written about same
in the last century, will be a breeze. And I find the distinction between
"copy" cataloging and "original" cataloging to be a bit of an outdated
canard, a relic from OCLC in the 1970s. For example, often I'm forced,
because of the one-record policy, to upgrade a very poor record. This
sometimes takes longer to do than if I had been able to start with a clean
sheet!

You might think because of my "harumph!" about quotas that I'm adamantly
opposed to them. In point of fact I began my career working for a microfilm
company that produced the Early English Books project (now EEBO), and we
catalogers had a quota per day to complete. Though I never saw anyone
disciplined because of not meeting those quotas, I did see the compromises
those records sometimes had because of the policy. The quotas did, however,
keep you focused, and that was a good thing.

So in the end a fine balance has to be struck, and having an enlightened
management that understands both the need for productivity as well as
quality is something that all libraries should strive for.

David

*****************************
David Richtmyer
Rare Books Cataloger & Jesuitica Librarian
Burns Library, Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3801
617-552-0543

VNA VOX LIBRORVM,
sed non omnes aeqve
    ~ INFORMAT ~

On Wed, Nov 2, 2016 at 10:59 AM, Deborah J. Leslie <DJLeslie at folger.edu>
wrote:

> I had another thought about production estimates. If you are asked to draw
> up an estimate of the time needed to complete the cataloging, try to base
> it on actual work completed on similar collection items, to a similar
> standard, by similar staff levels. As Josie's post demonstrates, trying to
> estimate based on number of books an hour will take you down the rabbit
> hole every time.
>
>
>
> Deborah J. Leslie, M.A., M.L.S. | Senior Cataloger, Folger Shakespeare
> Library | djleslie at folger.edu | 202.675-0369 | 201 East Capitol St., SE,
> Washington, DC 20003 | www. folger.edu | orcid.org/0000-0001-5848-5467
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu] *On
> Behalf Of *Josie Caplehorne
> *Sent:* Wednesday, 02 November 2016 05:38
>
> *To:* DCRM Users' Group
> *Subject:* Re: [DCRM-L] Cataloging production outcomes
>
>
>
> It sounds like you are doing tremendously well with what is a mammoth task!
>
>
>
> I have recently completed cataloguing of a collection of 2,492 rare books
> and manuscripts for a UK Cathedral as part of a collaborative project with
> my institution.  I worked 36 hours p/w and my colleague work 18 hour p/w
> for the six months we were initially given to complete the task
> (May-October).  This was, as we anticipated, not an appropriate amount of
> time to catalogue a collection that would require attention to detail,
> careful handling and research as the collection dates back to the 10th
> century.
>
>
>
> Our contracts were extended until December, at which point my colleague
> left the institution.  The cataloguing was still incomplete due other
> factors, as can be expected, so in the new year I worked alone to continue
> cataloguing until June when I was joined by a second cataloguer, and we
> both balanced this work with our other commitments. The cataloguing was
> completed last week, one year after the initial deadline.  I also worked on
> promoting the collection at exhibitions, conferences, to post-grad
> researchers, UG students and the wider public audience whilst undertaking
> the cataloguing.
>
>
>
> My experience of this was very positive despite set-backs and balancing a
> number of tasks along the way.  Communication was key to the success of the
> collaboration and I built very positive relationships with key project
> staff, who in turn became very trusting of our judgement and undertaking of
> the task at hand, even with set-backs and contract extensions.
>
>
>
> It’s challenging to summarize how successful this has been but I’d be
> happy to answer any questions you have about working with a collection on
> behalf of another organization.  I don’t want to go on and on if it’s not
> useful.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Josie Caplehorne* | Metadata Assistant & Rochester Cathedral Cataloguer
>
> Collections Management, Information Services, University of Kent
>
> Templeman Library
>
> Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NU
>
> Tel: +44 (0)1227 816274
>
>
>
> LibChats – innovation through discussion at the University of Kent
> <https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/libchats/>
>
>
>
> P Save our trees! Please don't print out this e-mail unless absolutely
> necessary.
>
>
>
> *From:* dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu
> <dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu>] *On Behalf Of *Deborah J. Leslie
> *Sent:* 01 November 2016 22:25
> *To:* DCRM Users' Group <dcrm-l at lib.byu.edu>
> *Subject:* Re: [DCRM-L] Cataloging production outcomes
>
>
>
> "All of us also handle other duties, such as reference questions, tour
> groups, exhibits, etc."
>
> " The foundation board … want us to promote the collection and help
> researchers, in addition to cataloging."
>
>
>
> This is going in the opposite direction of making progress on your
> backlog. The thing about cataloging is that it requires a different kind of
> mindset and attention than the other activities you mention. It has demands
> similar to writing: you need blocks of time with minimal distractions in
> which to immerse yourself.
>
>
>
> Most catalogers I've known who also have significant other duties admit
> that cataloging always gets the shaft. Cataloging can't realistically be
> done in the interstices of reference, research assistance, public
> programming and outreach. The urgent crowds out the important. Add to that
> the time needed to power up into the zone, and before you know it, you're
> not cataloging anymore.
>
>
>
> As for your numbers, they are something to be proud of. Think about
> inviting the board member to sit with you as you catalog a rare book.
>
>
>
> Deborah J. Leslie, M.A., M.L.S. | Senior Cataloger, Folger Shakespeare
> Library | djleslie at folger.edu | 202.675-0369 | 201 East Capitol St., SE,
> Washington, DC 20003 | www. folger.edu | orcid.org/0000-0001-5848-5467
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu
> <dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu>] *On Behalf Of *Allison Jai O'Dell
> *Sent:* Tuesday, 01 November 2016 16:46
> *To:* DCRM Users' Group
> *Subject:* Re: [DCRM-L] Cataloging production outcomes
>
>
>
> 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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