[DCRM-L] Program planning for rare materials catalogers

[Christine Megowan]

Relating to what Alison said about demsytifying rare materials cataloging,
one topic which has been on my mind a lot recently is how to advocate for
catalogers and cataloging.

When we do our work well, it becomes almost invisible as users are able to
find the resources they need without difficulty. If I may be allowed to
make a sweeping generalization, our profession also tends to attract people
who are on the introverted side and may not be entirely comfortable in the
limelight. So, what sorts of PR skills can we pick up to raise awareness
and understanding of what we do and how it underpins the more glamorous (to
administrators, at least) work of our colleagues in public services?

-Christine



*Christine Megowan*

*Cataloguing Librarian: Rare Books*

Special Collections and Archives

Arts and Social Studies Library



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*Christine Megowan*

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On Wed, Feb 24, 2021 at 3:04 PM Rich, Allison <allison_rich at brown.edu>
wrote:

> I would certainly be interested in cataloguing realia as we have a small
> collection at my library.
>
> Conversations between cataloguers and non-cataloguers would also be of
> interest to me - but beyond that a "demystification" of just what rare
> materials cataloguers do would be even more interesting. It's a difficult
> thing to describe to a non-library person and sometimes difficult to
> justify the cost / effort to clueless administrators. I have often
> described it as "writing a history essay in machine readable code and text
> in that if you make a claim you have to back it up with source material
> from bibliographies or other scholarship" or a form of "inventory control".
> As this kind of work is becoming, perhaps, more and more rare and we delve
> further and further into digitization, the importance of good and accurate
> metadata becomes increasingly important. As yet, AI cannot replace what we
> do. I think this would be a great topic to discuss.
>
> Allison
>
> On Wed, Feb 24, 2021 at 9:51 AM Hobart, Elizabeth <efh7 at psu.edu> wrote:
>
>> Dear colleagues,
>>
>> The Program Planning Group of the RBMS Bibliographic Standards Committee
>> is investigating the possibility of offering webinars on topics related to
>> rare materials cataloging. We are still in the early planning stages and
>> are seeking input from the rare materials cataloging community. Right now,
>> some of the topics we’re considering include:
>>
>>    - Cataloging realia
>>    - Cataloging graphic novels
>>    - Tools to make working from home easier (including OpenRefine and
>>    MarcEdit)
>>    - Conversations between catalogers and non-catalogers
>>
>> We are especially interested in hearing if these topics would be of
>> interest to you, if there are additional topics we should consider, and any
>> tools you might like to see covered in addition to OpenRefine and MarcEdit.
>> If you’re proposing an additional topics, suggestions for presenters would
>> be welcome but not required.
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Elizabeth.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Elizabeth Hobart
>>
>> Special Collections Cataloging Librarian
>>
>> Cataloging & Metadata Services
>>
>> 126C Paterno Library
>>
>> University Park, PA 16801
>>
>> (814) 865-1756
>>
>> she/her/hers
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> ********************************
> "Outside of a dog,
> a book is probably man's best friend,
> and inside of a dog,
> it's too dark to read.
> - Groucho Marx"
>
> Allison Rich
> Rare Materials Cataloguer
>
> ESTC and NACO Coordinator
>
> John Carter Brown Library
> Providence, Rhode Island
> Allison_Rich at brown.edu
> ********************************
>
>
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