7-11 July 2008

1) How useful were the pre-course readings?

1: They were quite helpful, particularly those with narrative section about analyzing images. The more technical readings meant more once I arrived in class. 2: The pre-course readings were very helpful for the class. And happily, I think they will be even more helpful for my reference for years to come. 3: They were vital to the course, but with such a large reading list I was grateful for the “hints” in the syllabus about which readings would form the basis for our work this week. 4: The pre-course readings were very necessary. I had some doubts beforehand as to why I had to read about cataloging standards I might never use, but in the end the comparison was very useful. 5: Extremely. 6: The readings comprised essential readings for the field and were comprehensive in the coverage of course contents. They will continue to be valuable – essential – resources far into the future. 7: Very. It was quite a long list to get through, though, and I didn’t read all of the optional ones. Having the Visual Materials manual ahead of time was crucial. 8: The readings were very helpful and useful to the course. I plan on using some of them as references in my cataloging. 9: Extremely useful. I’m sure I’ll refer to this list for the rest of my career.

2) Were the course syllabus and other materials distributed in class appropriate and useful (or will they be so in the future, after you return home)?

1: Yes, I think so, and I hope I get to work with more visual materials. 2: Again, everything was completely useful. I did not feel that any part of the packet or additional handouts were in any way inappropriate. 3: Absolutely! 4: I plan to keep a binder with course readings and notes at my desk. Also, I am sure I will be referring back to the course packet frequently. 5: Extremely. 6: Useful in the present and for years to come – thanks! Included were lots of tips that I will want close at hand when cataloging visual materials. 7: Very. The handbook is going to be very useful as a reference guide for years to come. 8: The materials were very appropriate, and they will be used when I return home. 9: Yes, they apply directly to my work. Again, I’m sure I’ll use them throughout my career.

3) What aspects of the course content were of the greatest interest or relevance for your purposes? Was the intellectual level of the course appropriate?

1: Learning more about cataloging in general was of most interest. I know it takes lots of practice (I come from the world of archives and linear feet), but I understand it much better now. 2: Generally, I would have to say that this course was very relevant for all of my purposes. More specifically, the dose and guided examination of the different cataloging standards were most helpful to me and my own learning. And yes, the intellectual level was spot-on. 3: I came in search of information on particular cataloging problems and find myself leaving with 10,000 other priorities. Not only did HZ teach me to answer my own questions, she also evangelized other cataloging issues very effectively. 4: Seeing as I am working solely on a visual materials cataloging project, I don’t think that any aspects of the course were inappropriate. As I said before, even learning about standards that I will not be using in the foreseeable future was eye-opening in the long run. 5: Theoretical discussion was regularly backed up with practice (done mostly in teams, which removed the sting). HZ planned the class with the express needs of the enrollees in mind, and added discussions and examples to respond to questions as they arose. 6: I value most the practical exercises. I appreciate that we moved from group to individual exercises. The intellectual level of the course is absolutely appropriate. 7: Comparing graphic materials to DACS; considering various levels of cataloging; always keeping in mind the Zeitgeist for why we are doing this. 8: Learning and putting to use the different techniques for cataloging visual materials was helpful. Using the different standards (e.g. DACS, GM, AACR2) for different purposes is something I will apply in my cataloging. 9: All aspects of this course apply to my work. The level was perfect for my level of expertise.

4) If your course left its classroom to visit Special Collections (SC) or to make other field trips away from your classroom, was the time devoted to this purpose well spent?

1: We went to the Library of Congress, and yes, I think it was very valuable, not only for the educational aspect (talks and demonstrations by staff there, exercises, &c.) but also for perspective on how a gigantic collection is managed. 2: I believe so. Although LC was a bit of a trek, I was very pleased with the high standard of material that we were given to examine. I don’t think that the trip would have been worth it if we had seen uninteresting or somewhat irrelevant stuff. Instead, we got the cream of the crop, which made the trip very relevant and worth it. 3: I enjoyed the cataloging lecture and exercises at LC very much. I’m not certain the Prints & Photographs orientation was very enlightening to this class; we’re all research librarians and were/are familiar with the basic reading room issues discussed in the morning. 4: I am a bit torn on this. I did certainly enjoy our field trip to LC, but it was a bit hard to spend six hours in the car, for six hours of being at LC. Some of the exercises we did (it seemed) could have been done just as well in Charlottesville, although the chance to hear from the catalogers working there is something that couldn’t be replaced. 5: We visited HZ’s home ground, LC’s P & P Division. It was an extremely interesting and enjoyable day, but much of the experience could have been replicated in Charlottesville. We would not have seen so much of LC’s practices, nor met the many LC staff who made time for us, but it was a very long trip, and much of what we did was cataloging practice, albeit with some amazing examples. 6: It was very well spent, although I do wish we could have spent more time looking at and cataloging visual materials and little less time getting oriented to LC’s P & P reading room policies and procedures. 7: The LC trip was very useful, from the schmoozing in the car pool to seeing visual materials practices in the wild. 8: Our trip to LC was very well spent. Hearing the situations of other visual catalogers and working with a variety of visual materials was great. 9: Yes, we went to the P & P department at LC, and every moment there was a learning experience.

5) What did you like best about the course?

1: HZ, my room on the Lawn, our classroom, thesauri, and hearing about other student’s trials (with collections processing). 2: I can honestly say that I loved everything about this course. HZ was not only a very sweet person, but also an outstanding teacher. The materials she chose could not have been any better suited, her style of teaching (lecture mixed with hands-on), and her openness to questions were incredible. I was so impressed and pleased with the obvious effort she put towards answering all of our questions and putting everything into context. You couldn’t ask for a better teacher! 3: HZ’s ability to draw examples from all of our cataloging questions/experiences and information requests. 4: HZ! She is an incredibly kind and accommodating instructor, but not so much so that she was afraid to challenge us (which she did repeatedly!) 5: HZ and her all-embracing attitude and knowledge. 6: The instructor, my colleagues, the exercises. I liked everything the best. 7: The instructor. HZ is the Earth Mother of visual materials cataloging. If at times we were individually baffled or confused, she nurtured us along. Her quiet, smiling enthusiasm is appreciated! 8: The variety of materials used in the course was not only great of a visual standpoint, but because I will be cataloging many types of visual material, it was very helpful. 9: HZ is one of the most clear instructors I have ever encountered. She is a dream to work with.

6) How could the course have been improved?

1: I think that as a class it would have been great for us to have done (together) a few complete records. 2: There is no possible was this course could be improved! (Honestly!) 3: I’m not sure it’s possible, but I wouldn’t have complained about nightly homework or even more in-class cataloging. 4: Eliminate northern Virginia traffic! 5: The pace was pleasantly unhurried, but more practice could have easily been included. Group exercises were particularly informative, as we all brought different perspectives and questions. 6: It would be difficult to squeeze more practical exercises into the courses, but if possible it would be nice to have them. A few more exercises regarding collections level cataloging and difficult situations (e.g. facsimiles) would be valuable. These were addressed, though! 7: Coerce a Virginia collector or researcher to join in. Their perspective would help challenge us more about what we are doing and why. Also, add a two-hour session on history and identification of photography techniques. 8: I would have liked creating and discussing more catalog records. 9: The class was perfect.

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?

1: No improvements for handling. 2: I don’t think this could be improved in any way. 4: I thought that both HZ and my classmates showed a great amount of respect for the materials. I did not see any mis-handling. 5: N/A. 6: None. We were instructed in proper handling and all proceeded with care and respect for the materials. 7: Materials were well presented and treated. We could use even more examples. 8: None. 9: I felt the handling of the materials was emphasized at the beginning of class and all materials were treated extremely well. Most items were encased in mylar and gloves provided.

8) If you attended the Sunday and/or other evening lectures, were they worth attending?

1: I think that they were. Though they were collections-oriented, they are diverse enough to feel like special events rather than more classroom time (not that there’s anything wrong with that). 2: Definitely. The baby book lecture was absolutely fantastic. 3: They were lots of fun this week! 4: Yes, both the Monday and Wednesday lectures were very worthwhile, and I especially enjoyed the lively topic of Russell Johnson’s lecture [No. 510]. 5: Always. 6: Yes, I really enjoyed RJ’s lecture on his experience collection baby books. I also enjoyed movie night. 7: Very much. 8: The Sunday lecture is worth attending your first time at RBS to get the history of the school, and to get an understanding of how RBS works. The weeknight lectures are great. You get to see what the “celebrities” of the book world are doing and more generally about how other libraries work. 9: Yes, definitely, especially meeting my colleagues on Sunday evening and getting to know them throughout the week.

9) Did you get your money’s worth? Any final or summary thoughts, or advice for other persons considering taking this course in a future year?

1: It wasn’t my money, but it sure was worth it! 2: I definitely got my money’s worth! The only advice I would give to people taking this course in the future would be simply to come with a passion for visual materials. Our entire class was very passionate and it just made the already fantastic class that much better. 4: Yes, I definitely did. Read all the readings (even if you have to skim!) 5: The more you explain in your application about what you are doing and hope to get out of the class, the more your dreams will come true. 6: Yes, I (and my institution) got my (their) money’s worth. If one is considering taking this course, one should proceed without hesitation. There is probably not a more ideal instructor for this subject in the U.S. Don’t miss out! 7: Some administrators – even library grant writers – should take this class. 8: I definitely got my money’s worth. HZ is a great teacher. Anyone interested in visual materials should consider taking the course. 9: Yes. I will definitely attend RBS again. The instructors are extremely professional and knowledgeable. And next time I will stay on the Lawn. Thank you RBS!

Number of respondents: 9

PERCENTAGES

Leave Tuition Housing Travel

Institution Institution Institution Institution
gave me leave paid tuition paid housing paid travel

89% 56% 89% 78%

I took vaca- I paid tui- I paid for my I paid my own
tion time tion myself own housing travel

11% 0% 0% 22%

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               scholarship                home

0% 44% 11% 0%

There were 6 rare book librarians (67%); 2 archivist/manuscript librarians (22%); and 1 cataloger (11%).