The ALCTS e-forum “Cataloging and Metadata Education” took place March 20–21, 2018. It was moderated by Christopher Dieckman, Erin Elzi, and Janelle Zetty. In addition, Karen Snow provided discussion questions and supplemental reading materials she uses in her cataloging and metadata courses.
Continue readingALCTS committees and interest groups submit reports to the ALCTS Office after each conference. Following are the reports submitted by the ALCTS Division-level interest groups for ALA Midwinter 2018.
Continue readingThe ALA elections will open on March 12, 2018, and will close on April 4, 2018. ALA members will vote on a dues increase, as well as a resolution determining whether the Association’s executive director should be required to hold an ALA- or CAEP-accredited master’s degree. Candidates for ALCTS office, as well as ALCTS members who are candidates for ALA Council, are detailed below.
Continue readingMy formal training (MLIS) did include a course in indexing that was a helpful beginning. I needed to learn to write those short and accurate descriptions, knowing when to cut, when to stop. I needed to develop a world perspective, understanding that what I write may be seen by anyone with a command (no matter how tenuous) of English, and my written word needs to be objective and clear. I needed to learn about digital asset management systems, how they work and don’t work. I needed to improve my people skills and learn to work within academic hierarchies. I needed to increase my general knowledge so that more things would be within my ken.
Continue readingAlthough I have wanted to be a cataloger since library school, I did not specifically choose the exact job and institution where I am now. The job chose me! During my job search, I discovered that this is where many opportunities appear: in blended positions (part cataloging, part collection management, part access services, part staff management) and at special libraries.
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