43: Visual Materials Cataloging [L-40]
14-18 June 2004
1) How useful were the pre-course readings?
1: Very useful. I wasn’t able to remember every word that I read, but it was helpful to have been introduced to the sources. Also, the exercises were very effective for class discussion and for my own learning about the topic. 2: Very useful. I’m very glad I read them beforehand. 3: Useful and necessary. 4: Readings were extremely useful. 5: Pre-course readings were extremely useful and sharply focused on the course proceedings. 6: The pre-course readings were very helpful, and I am glad I took the time to do them. The optional readings are good to know about, so I can turn to them when questions arise. 7: Extremely useful, in fact necessary to understand the course.
2) Were the course syllabus and other materials distributed in class useful (or will they be so in the future, after you return home)?
1: The course workbook is filled with helpful articles, tip sheets, crosswalks, examples, and bibliographies, among other things. It will be invaluable to have in the future. 2: Both appropriate and useful, and will become even more so after time to reflect on them back at the office. 3: Yes. 4: Course materials were appropriate and helpful. 5: HZ’s workbook is a monumental resource, useful both in class and as a reference and guidebook post class. 6: Very helpful. The big workbook will be great to have when I am back on the job. 7: Extremely useful. Workbook and suggested readings will be good resources for myself and other catalogers in our institution.
3) Was the intellectual level of the course content appropriate?
1: Yes. 2: Perfect. I was heartened by the specialized print cataloging content as well as by the chance to ask questions of a more basic nature on topics I’ve grown rusty in. 3-4: Yes. 5: Absolutely. 6: Yes. The instructor fielded all questions, so that even though the membership of the class consisted of different levels of expertise, it all came together. 7: Yes.
4) If your course had field trips, were they effective?
1: We spent the day at the Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs Division, and the time was well spent on many different levels. We saw a variety of formats which was fun, and saw how the folks manage their work. 2: Yes. Trip to the LOC was inspiring and informative. A great setting in which to observe best practices in dealing with massive amounts of material in a timely fashion. Great chance to talk with librarians there. 3: Yes – it was a great benefit to visit the LOC and see practice in action. 4: Excellent! We visited the LOC. 5: Trip to the LOC was very useful not only for show and tell, but for practical cataloging exercises. 6: Yes. Our trip to the LOC was met with enthusiasm. It provided good background for further discussion, and it is always good to know how materials are handled and processed elsewhere – a basis for comparison. 7: Extremely. Our visit to the LOC was very informative, well-organized and pleasant.
5) What did you like best about the course?
1: We had plenty of opportunity to ask questions , many chances to practice cataloging and gain instruction, and it was extremely enjoyable! 2: Excellent instructor. Reminds me of why I became a librarian in the first place. Very well organized, precise, but good sense of humor. Comparisons of different cataloging rules especially helpful as were various subject thesauri. 3: Excellent instructor and pleasant students. 4: Visit to the LOC hand in hand with the broad subject coverage and group discussion about cataloging issues. 5: HZ – she’s the best! 6: The instructor! She is a truly fine teacher, including everyone in her thought-provoking examples. Her expertise, graciousness, and wisdom are unsurpassed in my experience! 7: The opportunity to share/discuss questions, problems and viewpoints (and sometimes solutions!) with other class members and the instructor.
6) How could the course have been improved?
2: N/A. 3: Everything seemed well planned and organized. I can’t see how it could be improved. 5: I can’t think of any improvements.
7) We are always concerned about the physical well-being both of the RBS teaching collections and of materials owned by UVa’s Special Collections. If relevant, what suggestions do you have for the improved classroom handling of such materials used in your course this week?
2: None. Handling was careful and appropriate. 3: Classroom handling was professional but allowed free use and access – could not be improved. 5: Handling of materials was careful and professional – no improvements needed. 7: I think all the students and instructor were conscious of the well-being of the materials.
8) If you attended the Sunday and/or Monday night lectures, were they worth attending?
1: Yes, I liked hearing about the RBS organization.
9) If you attended Museum Night, was the time profitably spent?
1: Absolutely. 2: Yes. Linotype demo was great! 3: Yes – very interesting. 4: Very profitably spent. 5: N/A. 6: Yes. 7: Yes. The Printing Surfaces Museum was very informative and also fun.
10) Did you get your money’s worth? Any final thoughts?
1: Yes – I learned more in this week than I did in two years of library school. Everyone will get something out of this class. 2: Worth every penny! I’m glad I’ve been cataloging graphics prior to taking course – helped me get the most out of the class, but it would also have helped if I had taken it before I began print cataloging. 3: Yes – I’d highly recommend class and school. 4: Indeed, I did get my money’s worth. 5: Absolutely. 6: Yes. 7: RBS still is the best value for money around. Advice for other students – get lots of rest beforehand and enjoy yourselves.
Number of respondents: 7
Percentages
Leave Tuition Housing Travel
Institution Institution Institution Institution
gave me leave paid tuition paid housing paid travel
86% 57% 71% 71%
I took vaca- I paid tui- I paid for my I paid my own
tion time tion myself own housing travel
14% 29% 29% 29%
N/A: self- N/A: Self- N/A: stayed N/A: lived
employed, re- employed, with friends nearby
tired, or had retired, or or lived at
summers off exchange home
0% 14% 0% 0%
There were three rare book librarians (43%), one archivist/manuscript librarian (14%), one general librarian with some rare book duties (14%), and two students with other unspecified occupations (29%)