You all use the library’s catalog, right? Our OPACS (Online Public Access CatalogS), which are located around the library, help you find the books/music/movie/information you’re looking for. But, have you ever stopped to think how those OPACS are constructed? Our Technical Services department is in full swing every day. The women who work behind the scenes enter lots of data into the cataloging system so that you can find what you need. Cataloging isn’t necessarily about creating records; it’s helping you, the patrons, find, identify, select and obtain resources. And their job is even larger than that! They use whatever appropriate means necessary so that you can obtain materials seamlessly – without errors, hassles, broken links, missing materials and other obstacles. Our catalogers and tech services staff do all of this behind the scenes, making library functionality easy for you. You only see them occasionally, yet they touch so many of us directly through catalog records, indexes, subject headings and other services. They make searching easy!
These ladies improve library services for all of us on a daily basis ~ when you’re searching for a book or dvd and find it, that’s due to a cataloger; when you search in the catalog and retrieve books, that’s due to a cataloger adding keywords and headings to a record; when you find the subject you’re looking for with the exact call #, that’s because a cataloger has done her job, and very well.
If you see one of our catalogers at the Accounts Desk, where they help out on occasion, stop by and tell them you appreciate what they do. Even if you don’t know exactly what they do, ask them and you’ll find yourself in an enlightening conversation।
A BIG Thank You to our catalogers!
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