About the Cataloging Unit
General Information
The Cataloging Unit for the University of Akron's University Libraries' Electronic Services Department is located on the second floor in Bierce Library. Staffed by 3 faculty catalogers, 3 paraprofessionals, and 1 student, the Cataloging Unit processes an average of 12,000 new titles into the Bierce, University Archives, and Science & Technology libraries collections each year. These new items represent all formats, from print to sound recordings, video, and electronic resources.
As part of the OhioLINK system, University Libraries uses Innovative Interfaces, Inc. library software. Formerly known as ZipLINK, the UA Libraries Catalog provides online access to the University Libraries' holdings. OCLC's bibliographic services are utilized for searching and editing cataloging copy which is then transfered into the UA Libraries Catalog. We also use OCLC to verify authority headings and when no cataloging copy is found for materials, we contribute original cataloging to the OCLC system for others to use.
The following pages provide additional information about the Cataloging Unit:
- Cataloging Unit Alphabetic Site Index
- Student Employee Policies
- Contact Information
Personnel
The faculty catalogers, while able to catalog all formats, have developed specializations in specific formats or types of materials. Their duties include problem resolution; fielding questions from the paraprofessional staff and students; training; developing and/or revising local policy and procedures; recording policies and procedures to document local practice, and the various responsibilities of tenure-track faculty including publication, presentation, and service.
The Cataloging paraprofessionals perform a wide range of duties, including cataloging, processing special collections, and physical processing of library materials. The paraprofessional catalogers focus on the bulk of University Libraries' acquisitions: monographs with Library of Congress or OCLC member bibliographic copy. Each has also developed a subject, genre, or format speciality within the broad range of materials that enter the department. Their duties include: searching OCLC and the local online system for bibliographic records, editing bibliographic records, transferring records from OCLC to the local Innovative Interfaces cataloging system, performing authority work, and database maintenance tasks.
| Faculty | |
|---|---|
| Name & Contact Info | Title & Specialization |
| Michelle J. Mascaro mjm125@uakron.edu Office:261B Phone: 330.972.2446 |
Title: Assistant Professor of Bibliography Specialization: Special collections, archival and rare materials. |
| Karen A. Plummer kplumme@uakron.edu Office:261D Phone: 330.972.7244 |
Title: Associate Professor of Bibliography Specialization: Video-recordings (Video, DVD); Curriculum Materials (Kits, Monographs); Realia; Dissertations/Theses. NACO-AV Authority Contributor. Also software, electronic resources. |
| David Procházka davidp@uakron.edu Office:261C Phone: 330.972.6260 |
Title: Associate Professor of Bibliography Specialization: Music (Sound Recordings, Monographs, and Scores); NACO-AV/NACO-M Authority Contributor. Also Continuing Resources, Government Documents |
| Paraprofessionals | |
| Name & Contact Info | Title & Specialization |
| Valerie M. Jenkins valeri3@uakron.edu Office:261 Phone: 330.972.5553 |
Title: Library Cataloging Specialist Specialization: Children's books; Curriculum materials; Continuing resources |
| John F. Kline, Jr. jk4@uakron.edu Office:261 Phone: 330.972.6190 |
Title: Library Cataloging Specialist Specialization: History monographs; Monographs with accompanying media (software/cd-roms); Maps cataloging; special projects. |
| Joycelyn D. Ramos drozd@uakron.edu Office:261 Phone: 330.972.8426 |
Title: Library Cataloging Specialist Specialization: Literature monographs; Drama/Plays; Anthropology, Sociology, and Religious monographs; Database maintenance and quality control. Also curriculum materials. |
Student Assistants
The students perform a variety of critical tasks for the Department. Their primary responsibility is to perform all physical processing of library materials, including monographs, serials, microforms, audiovisual, music, software, etc. They also assist with OCLC searching, retrieving materials from the shelves or other University Libraries' facilities for reclassification and/or recataloging, process transfers and discards, and assist with various special projects as needed.