Technical Services Program Review
Blue Ribbon Committee
Catalog Management Focused Discussion
January 23, 2001
How non-TSD colleagues utilize the Catalog Management Department.
- Patrons come to the Circulation Desk with books that have problems, either on the label or something in the system.
- Help Desk is helpful, timely in responding. Is there an online form?
- Work with CATM on the transfers and withdrawals for PAL theater materials that should be in McKeldin.
- Pleased with Help Desk response. When send in email get a response but do not consistently get a response when submitting the paper form.
- Weeding duplicates because of the lilac slipping. Sending a fair amount of materials to CATM for withdrawal.
- Shifting materials from HBK to MCK or withdrawing materials from HBK - would like to have list of duplicates. Would like a more systematic about the process.
- Happy with service of Help Desk, CATM is responsive.
- Do not interact as much as with the Help Desk as used to (Chemistry). Very few problems.
Issues of interest or concern.
- Keep paper shelf list to use as back-up because computer does not match reality (Chemistry).
- Sometimes shows lost for first item and patrons miss an item because they don't go to the next screen.
- Would like reports on collection areas - to be able to focus on withdrawals, to fill in the gaps, replace items that have been lost or long overdue.
- Filling out individual forms for withdrawals - can materials be batched if a special project.
- Date due slips are put in crooked; find wrong call numbers.
- At least once a month books are received after time expires for 'in processing.'
- Other campuses are able to put holds on new books before our own patrons see them.
- New books include all of the paperwork in each book - extra work for Circ to throw away.
- Would like to understand what the priorities are.
What CATM does well.
- Donna King always gives a prompt response, always helpful.
- Staff are willing to answer questions.
- Generally take care of bumps.
- It is helpful that EPU lets people know when there are delays.
Suggestions for CATM to do differently or change.
- What can be done to make the 'in processing' time period an honest reflection of what is happening? This is difficult to convey to patrons.
- For materials 'in processing', can we go to Technical Services to find book. What is the appropriate response to faculty?
- Can hold recalls guide the rush process?
- Is there flexibility in the 'in processing' time period? Carlen says no.
- Clarify the process of how and when preservation checks out materials.
- If asking the Help Desk for a response, would like to receive one.
- Clarify who does what and be able to connect a name with a face and job responsibilities. It is difficult to follow-up if you don't know where an item has gone.
- Getting responses from the Help Desk - get a copy of the form back with "done" on it.
- CATM is spending time doing simpler activities (transfers, catalog changes) and don't have time to do more complex things. Branch staff could process simpler problems - save CATM for more difficult stuff. Someone could serve as liaison to CATM.
- Would like to be able to do internal transfers. Donna will train staff if asked.
- Technical Services needs to know who to go to for problems.
Ways to get feedback from customers.
- Look for more opportunities for collaboration.
- Visit branches to talk.
- Create a way for groups within Technical Services to meet with rest of the organization. There is a big canyon between subject teams and the rest of the organization. Acquisitions is having regular contact.
- Set up dialogue between groups - it needs to be two-way.
Question:
Does Collection Management (not CATM) deal with management of the collections or only development?
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Last Revised: Feb. 5, 2001
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