Metadata and Cataloging Unit: What does the unit do?

Did you know that working in the Metadata and Cataloging Unit is a collaborative job? Although we are not usually seen by the public, Unit members regularly work with the rest of Technical Services, the Research Services Department, and the User Services Department, along with over a dozen library resource vendors! 

The Unit performs many duties on a regular basis. All of the items on the "Current Project" area and cataloging of print and digital items are in addition to these duties.

Catalog Assistant duties:

Daily:

• Double check catalog load processed overnight
• Check Library Guides links are working
• Set expiring Kanopy records to "Withdraw"

Weekly:

• Perform a New Book Inventory
• Update the New Books/New Ebooks Lists

Monthly:

• Remove Items Set to Withdraw
• Tally Cataloging Statistics
• Check the III Supportal, Proquest and Innovative Idea Exchanges, and Innovative Users Web Pages for Updates
• Order Supplies
• Remove Items from New Books as Necessary
• EDS Full Load
• Send New Bibliographic Records to Marcive (on approximately the 7th of each month)
• Resolve URL Checker Errors
• Send Out DDA ebook Stat Update
• Sierra Patron Load (on approximately the 7th of each month)

Each Semester:

• Update the Days Closed Table
• Update the Hours Open Table
• Remove Outgoing Student Authorizations
• Create Incoming Student Authorizations
• Update the Patron Database
• Change Status of Patrons to Inactive as Appropriate
• Create Suppressed Brief Bib [Semester] [Year] Capstones (Fall and Winter)

Mid-Fiscal Year:

• Yearly Order Record Removal (November/December)

Each Fiscal Year:

• Run the YTD/LYC Update
• Run a Collection Development Report in Web Management Reports
• Run a Collection Makeup Query in Sierra Statistics
• Change Patron Record Template Expiration Dates to 2 Years from Now
• Delete Guest and Inactive Patron Records Not Used in 3 Years

Metadata / Catalog Librarian duties:

Daily:

• Update assigned LibGuides with current information
• Original cataloging of library resources
• Create original metadata for digital archives projects
• Clean up of bibliographic database
• Be available for at least 2 hours of research assistance to general student body and liaison areas
• Perform collection development duties for liaison areas

Monthly:

• Article survey for updates in cataloging and liaison areas
• Participate in professional development at least once (webinar, Twitter chat, etc.)

Yearly:

• Attend the Michigan Academic library Association, and Innovative Users Group conferences