PCC Training for Copy Catalogers: Is It Worth the Investment? The Columbia University Libraries Experience

Abstract

This paper presents a case study program implemented at Columbia University Libraries that trains copy in Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) and Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) principles. Under the guidance of the NACO coordinator and cataloging supervisors, copy create PCC-level records for belles lettres materials, construct name and uniform title headings, and submit classification number proposals for literary authors in a variety of languages in both roman and nonroman scripts. The benefits of the program include timely and efficient processing of materials, high-quality bibliographic records, better collocation of belles lettres, and upgrade of vendor or member records utilized by the shared cataloging community. The program serves as an important step in the professional development of copy and contributes to the growth of training and mentoring skills of professional catalogers. The skills acquired by copy can be used in future cataloging projects such as metadata creation and name disambiguation. ********** The past two decades have witnessed a significant change in functions and daily operations of technical services departments in academic libraries. Rapid technological developments, shrinking budgets, merging of cataloging and acquisitions departments, and increased use of vendor records have contributed to reevaluation of workflows, reassignment of personnel, and creation of new in-house training programs. The current economic and information environment suggests that technical services will continue to experience these changes in the near future. As libraries continue to move from ownership-based to access-based models, technical services departments will face the challenge of providing access to new types of resources while still processing materials in more traditional formats. These transformations will influence staffing changes and blend job responsibilities in technical services departments in academic libraries. The shift of professional tasks from professional librarians to paraprofessional staff in various aspects of technical services operations is a reality widely acknowledged by library literature and practitioners in the field. (1) The area of cataloging in particular has much potential for training and developing copy catalogers skills to perform more complex and motivating tasks. The research to date has largely focused on successful development of copy cataloging skills. The specifics of training paraprofessionals in original cataloging have rarely been a focus of professional literature. (2) In addition, the authors found no research describing the process of training copy in Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) principles, cataloging to PCC level, and cataloging of belles lettres by paraprofessionals. The present study describes a successful program developed at Columbia University Libraries (CUL) in which the combination of copy catalogers' skills and abilities and the institutional training potential resulted in a rewarding outcome. This paper begins by reviewing existing literature on paraprofessionals' participation in original cataloging and principals of PCC and NACO. Then the authors discuss the training and ongoing workflows for paraprofessionals cataloging belles lettres material to PCC level, including creating authority records and submitting call number proposals to be included in the name authority record for a literary author. Finally, the authors argue that competencies obtained by paraprofessional staff in this program have the potential for application in a new emerging cataloging and metadata environment. Literature Review Paraprofessionals and Original Cataloging Several studies have discussed the topic of paraprofessionals' involvement in original cataloging. In 1992, Benand, reflecting on trends in cataloging departments, appealed to library managers with the suggestion to take better advantage of people's skills and abilities by actively involving paraprofessionals in original cataloging. …