Common Mistakes in Cataloging (And How to Avoid Them) | Metropolitan New York Library Council

Online/Virtual Event

Wednesday, November 30th 2022 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm

When it comes to metadata and cataloging, many library staff members feel they get thrown into the deep end before being taught how to swim. Cataloging training in library education is frequently designed to give an overview rather than in-depth preparation, leaving actual cataloging practices to be acquired on the job. Sometimes a cataloging component gets added to a position (such as acquisitions or reference) after the fact, with little training or guidance.

Melanie Wacker, Head of Digital Resources Metadata, Cataloging & Metadata Services Division, Columbia University Libraries, provides some help by identifying three common areas of confusion in cataloging and strategies on how to navigate them. She goes over why more isn't always more, the importance of authority control, and how to put non-MARC metadata work into the larger library context.

By the end of this webinar, viewers will be able to:

Identify each of these three common cataloging misunderstandings
Notice when these things crop up in their work
Take steps to align their cataloging efforts with common cataloging processes and procedures

About our presenter:

Melanie Wacker works with her colleagues within Columbia University Libraries to ensure the integration of digital metadata with local and national systems to enable information discovery. She provides guidance on best practices, and develops, documents, and maintains standards and procedures for metadata for digital content generated within the Libraries. Her other responsibilities include the cataloging of electronic resources and name (NACO) and subject (SACO) authority work.

Melanie is the chair of the MODS/MADS Editorial Committee, a member of the VIVO Ontology Group, a member of the planning group for the OCLC Research Library Partners Metadata Managers Focus Group, an At-Large-Member of the PCC Policy Committee (PoCo), as well as co-chair of the BIBFRAME Interoperability Group (BIG).