No. 37: Implementing Encoded Archival Description

26-30 July 1999

1) How useful were the pre-course readings?

1: Very useful. 2: Very. 3: Useful - helped familiarize the concept. 4: Very useful. 5: Quite useful, though the required reading list might have emphasized articles in the Society of American Archivists’ The American Archivist concerning EAD more than it did. 6: The pre-course readings didn’t make much sense to me before the course, as I had no context in which to place them. I think they will be a much more useful reference tool post-course. 7: Well-suited as reference readings. 8: Impractical to read all; some useful. 9: Very useful. 10: Great! 11: Useful. 12: Even though a lot of the material did not fall into place until it was discussed in class, the readings were essential for 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: Yes, and will provide useful contacts for further information. 2: Yes. 3: YES (as a reference tool). 4: Yes, supplemented with the notes I took, they will be quite useful. 5: Yes; I’m keeping them as future guides. 6: Yes - I hope it will be useful when I return home! 7: The course syllabus and materials were excellent, and in the case of the syllabus, were followed to the letter. The materials will be most helpful and are certain to see constant use in the context of the work with manuscripts that I plan to continue. 8-9: Yes. 10: Great! 11-12: Yes.

3) Was the intellectual level of the course content appropriate?

1: Yes. 2: Extremely. 3-4: Yes. 5: Very appropriate. 6: Yes, for the most part. It might be helpful to try to ensure that most participants are on the same level of knowledge (though I have no suggestions as to how you might do this). 7: Very much so. A proper combination of technical support and intellectual stimulation. 8-9: Yes. 10: Yes! 11-12: Yes.

4) Did the actual course content correspond to its RBS brochure description and Expanded Course Description (ECD)? Did the course in general meet your expectations?

1-4: Yes.5: Yes; matched it quite well. 6: Yes. 7: Yes. 8-12: Yes.

5) What did you like best about the course?

1: Gaining an understanding of the underlying structure of a mark-up language that I had some experience with. Meeting other EAD users in class and socially. Gaining direct advice on several EAD and EAD-related issues. 2: How well it was taught. DP is a wonderful instructor and the pacing was very well handled. I feel like I really can go home and do this. 3: Hands-on teaching of a complex/complicated subject. DP’s a very good teacher. 4: Being able to learn from the master himself, DP, who originally created EAD. In addition to his expert knowledge of the subject and his enthusiasm, I also benefitted from hearing him explain why certain decisions were made or what he recommended for use of the tags. 5: The hands-on experience was utterly useful. And the wrap-up discussion concerning options for implementing EAD in our home institutions (using and encouraging consortia, &c) was helpful for its comprehensive nature. 6: Unlike many other courses/workshops I’ve attended, there was an actual hands-on component to this course, which was most helpful. 7: This has been one of the most successful post-graduate learning courses I have taken. It was a nice combination of electronic environment and intellectual discussion. In format and substance, it reminded me more of a good graduate seminar in which the professor was both learned, conversant, and infinitely patient. 8: Content. Instructor was knowledgeable and very personable. 9: Attention to needs of individual students. 10: The high professional level of the instructor, well known and respected in the archival/manuscript world. 11: Finally, after several too-brief attempts, I feel that I have a good basis for moving forward with EAD. 12: Having both hands-on experience coding and leaving with the outline of a plan for implementing an EAD project at my institution.

6) How could the course have been improved?

1: Perhaps some evaluation of existing EAD-based websites might have been useful. 2: Can’t think of anything. 4: One extra day? Or, simply splitting DP into several DPs, to give students even more of his personal attention! It seemed things started slowly as the instructor worked to bring everyone up to a certain level - but this is necessary (and to be expected) of a class comprised of both beginners and total beginners. 5: Sometimes DP got so involved in the subject that he became unclear as to steps and procedures he wanted us to accomplish. But he’s nonetheless an exemplary instructor. 6: The instructor occasionally got bogged down helping a few individuals, while others didn’t have anything to do. I don’t know if the solution would be smaller classes? 7: I would only suggest that it be followed, or preceded, by a course on style sheets. 8: Course was slow starting - would have preferred some hands-on work to jumpstart and give context. Quite a few inconsistencies in procedures and documentation of computer programs that could have been sorted out better. 9: Instruction in style sheet construction. 10: Faster, newer computers. 11: Consider incorporating XSL instruction next year, or when the instructor feels that its development has reached a stable point. 12: I would like to have spent more time discussing project management requirements and issues.

7) Please comment on the quality/enjoyability of the various RBS activities in which you took part outside of class, eg Sunday afternoon tour, Sunday night dinner and videos, evening lectures, Bookseller Night, tour of the Alderman digital/electronic centers, &c.

1: Most enjoyable. The lectures and receptions were an excellent way to meet people and form groups to explore the eating places of Charlottesville. They were most interesting (the lectures, that is). 2: Lectures were great, as always. Sunday Night Dinner and Bookseller Night were both very enjoyable - great for meeting fellow BAP/RBS folks outside of one’s own class. 3: OK - interesting to a "non" rare book person. Good opportunity to meet up with other students from the same course. Seating arrangements in Clemons needs checking - I couldn’t see much of the slides in the back. 4: The tour was nice, Sunday Night Dinner very nice. The videos and lectures were very enjoyable and really added to the whole RBS experience. Bookseller Night was also wonderful - a nice chance to get off-campus and still experience book-related activities. I didn’t really notice the Wednesday Etext open house signs - a more noticeable announcement would have been appreciated. Getting together with other attendees for dinner and lunch was also lots of fun! 5: I took part in no extra-curricular activities or social events, and so am unable to judge. 6: 201 Clemons was not the ideal room for lectures with slides; although I’m tall, my view was blocked! Also, the rooms used for breaks and receptions are rather cramped. 8: Lectures were worthwhile. 9: All quite good. 10: These make the week filled with learning. It’s also great to meet others in the profession. 11: Nice that a variety of activities are offered, to give participants a break from their courses and to meet other participants. 12: Wonderful!

8) Any final thoughts? Did you get your money's worth?

1: The whole RBS session was very well organized and enjoyable to attend. Very good value (especially as I didn’t pay for it). 2: Absolutely [got my money’s worth]. Thanks, DP, and thanks, TB! 3: Yes [got my money’s worth]. 4: Yes, I would recommend it. The course was excellent, and meeting and getting to know classmates and those from other courses was very beneficial and enjoyable. It’s worth the money, but I would advise people to be serious about the subject matter before committing a week’s time. 5: I got my money’s worth. The success or failure of this course rises and falls on the strengths or weaknesses of the instructor, and DP is a gem among men. He is as patient and attentive (and long-suffering?) as he could be, and I appreciate his devotion to our cause. 6: Yes, definitely [got my money’s worth]. If anything, the course is too short, so I’m not sure how people get anything out of SAA’s three-day course. 7: No thoughts at present. Certainly [got my money’s worth]. 8: This was an excellent presentation; clearly the instructor was well-placed in the field. A pleasure to participate in this course, and to be at RBS. 9: I would recommend this course. 10: Yes [got my money’s worth].

Number of respondents: 12

There were eight archivist/manuscript librarians (67%), one rare book librarian (8%), one general librarian with no rare book duties (8%), one responsible for special projects within a Rare Books department (8%), and one cataloger (8%).