Job Description Builder for the Catalog Department

Compiled by Shirley Higgins and Adela Crespin for Catalog Department supervisors and the Library Classification Review Committee
May 3, 2003

The tasks, knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be used to create Catalog Department job descriptions. This wording reflects the current move toward more simplified job descriptions. This is suggested wording and may be adapted or modified to suit the needs of individual job descriptions. Please report any suggested additions to Shirley Higgins so this document may be updated.

Tasks

• Perform original descriptive and subject cataloging of [monographs, serials, musical scores, videos etc.] in accordance with Catalog Department policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Evaluate and assign [Library of Congress, Medical, or musical] [subject headings and/or classification].
• Resolve questions from copy catalogers regarding complex copy.
• Perform copy cataloging of [monographs, serials, musical scores, videos etc.] in accordance with Catalog Department policies and procedures.
• Enhance OCLC [monographs, scores, etc.] format records.
• Verify the form of [personal, corporate, geographic, uniform title, series, etc.] headings in accordance with Catalog Department policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Create or modify [NACO and/or UCSD] authority records.
• Shelflist call numbers to incorporate the work in hand with existing materials in the collection.
• Process URLs for websites in accordance with Catalog Department policies and procedures.
• Resolve problems and make or initiate corrections to reconcile conflicts as necessary.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement projects involving collections and their relationships to the online catalogs.
• Perform corrections to authority, bibliographic, checkin, and item records in the library catalogs, including withdrawals, transfers, reclassifications, synchronizations, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• Working knowledge of the rules and tools relevant to [copy or original] cataloging, and the ability to apply them.
• Familiarity with the concepts used in earlier cataloging rules sufficient to verify descriptive information and to evaluate and upgrade records created under earlier rules.
• Working knowledge of authority record structures sufficient to verify, update, and create authority records as needed.
• Working knowledge of the interrelationships between INNOPAC, OCLC, Roger, Melvyl, Circuit, Orion2, and Sage.
• Working knowledge of technical services computer systems and software.
• Ability to perform assigned tasks with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with roman alphabet languages sufficient to provide [original or copy] cataloging and/or to do bibliographic searching and editing.
• Proficiency in [Chinese, Japanese, etc.] language and working knowledge of the [Pinyin, Wade-Giles, Hepburn, etc.] romanization system sufficient to provide [original or copy] cataloging and/or to do bibliographic searching and editing.
• Ability to organize work, set and maintain priorities, meet deadlines, and meet quality and quantity standards.
• Self direction and flexibility in work routines to accommodate fluctuating workflows and variability of online systems.
• Demonstrated communication ability, both oral and written, and the ability to work well with others.
• Skill in independently researching questions and making appropriate contacts for problem solving.
• Skill in analyzing information, problems, situations, practices, or procedures to identify relevant concerns, identify patterns or tendencies, formulate logical and objective conclusions.
• Skill in making appropriate job decisions following established policies and past practices.