This will be a quick update because I would like to spend the bulk of my time this week checking as many records as possible before we board the plane for home. We have one more tiny shelf to sift through and the folio section will be done. We've found numerous books with call number discrepancies or missing information. Dates, descriptions, subjects, publishing information, and even authors are often missing from records in the database. Once we have checked the spine and title page of a book to make sure everything is physically correct, we check the information against the shelf list to make sure it is where it should be. Finally, we clean up any metadata that needs updating in the database. If everything matches, the book is ready to go back to the shelf. Some items need new labels, so they are printed and adhered. Occasionally, a book will require , mending, or covering as well. Once that is accomplished, the book is placed back in its home on the shelf.
We are doing our best to come to a stopping point with record checking this week so that we can take some time to prepare for the coming work study students. A major overhaul of the training manual is required, as well as some signage changes. We also plan to spend a few hours on Friday training the administrative intern so that she will be familiar with the library and be able to oversee simple tasks there. The plan is to teach her how to shelve and cover books, as well as perform basic mending. We will also attempt to teach her how to copy cat catalog and enter or edit records in the database. It is our hope that if she is equipped with correct knowledge, she will pass it on to the work study students during the year.
It is time for me to get back to business in the library. Hopefully, I will be able to spend a portion of my next entry reflecting on this experience and some of the things I have learned while in this beautiful, timeless city. Ciao for now!
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