Follow a Book Through Technical Services
From ordering... to cataloging... to covering... to you!
Do you ever wonder how library materials get into the library and into the hands of library users?
First, the Adult and Youth Service librarians search through catalogs and collection databases for new materials purchases. They route their selections, along with any patron requests, to the Technical Services area.
In Technical Services:
1. The selections are reviewed and assigned to various vendors, then ordered by the acquisitions staff.
3. When the orders arrive, they are received on the acquisitions database and routed to the catalogers. Hold items are noted by a red slip, so the catalogers know they are priority items.
4.The catalogers take the materials to their workstations.
5. With a cart full of library materials, a cataloger logs onto OCLC (Online Computer Library Center). Ohio-based OCLC is an online database of millions of electronic records that include descriptions of each item: author, title, publication information, number of pages, etc. The catalogers search the OCLC database for a record for each item on their cart, and download the records into the WRL database.
6. Once records have been downloaded, the catalogers determine where to shelve each item. Using books or online resources with listings and explanations of the Dewey Decimal Classification system and Library of Congress Subject Headings, they edit the record to include the call number and subject headings we will use, plus add annotations and additional information that will help users find and identify materials.
7. When the records are complete, the Catalogers link the actual item to the record by placing a barcode on the item and entering the same barcode number in the computer. The cataloger prints the call number labels you see on the spines of books, and other library materials.
8. Once the items are cataloged and labeled, they are sent to the Technical Services Specialist. Books with dust jackets receive mylar covers, and paperback covers are taped inside and out.
9. The Technical Services Specialist places green dots on the backs of books for the James City County Library, gold dots for the Bookmobile, and no dots for the Williamsburg Library.
10. In addition, the Catalogers and/or volunteers may download or create replacement inserts for AV materials.
When the library materials are processed, they are routed to the reference desk for review. The reference librarians then route the materials to circulation for check-in. The shelvers in the Collections Services Department then shelve them according to their spine labels and dots.
