Below is a summary of responses to our query about cataloger involvement in
metadata projects, originally posted May 6, 2005.

We received 21 responses from both AUTOCAT and Serialst, omitting duplicate
responses.  Several responses were requests for this summary.  Respondents were
primarily from university libraries, but historical societies, college and
public libraries were also represented.  Nine responses indicated that the
catalogers were involved in co-operative projects.  Three respondents indicated
that catalogers are not involved in digital cataloging, and one is trying to
empower staff to become involved. One respondent pointed out that catalogers are
left out of the digital cataloging loop due to a lack of time to devote to this
new format.
Furthermore, the respondent mentioned access problems between image databases
and related text database, such as OPACS.

The roles of catalogers vary among institutions.  Their roles included:
cataloging, creating documentation and templates, determining standards,
consulting, revising the work of others, training and creating crosswalks.
Three respondents reported hiring of new staff or creation of a new position.

Two commented that experienced cataloging staff was able to make the transition
easily from traditional cataloging to digitization.  Further training in
metadata schemes and software programs was, however, necessary.  This additional
training was obtained from metadata workshops, professional reading and
consulting with others.

Thank you to all those who responded.

Jeanne Boydston and Joan Leysen
Catalogers, Iowa State University
jboydsto@iastate.edu
jleysen@iastate.edu