Re: Why are you a cataloger?

OK, I held off for as long as I could, but after all, it's Friday...

I started haunting the local public library at about 7 years of age, 
and continued to haul out armloads of books until I finished college 
and moved away to start working as a public school teacher. In high 
school, I spent every study hall period that I possibly could in the 
school library. While in college, I worked in the library. Since it 
was/is a small school, I did a little of everything *except* 
cataloging. That was considered far too complex and mysterious a 
subject for a mere student to handle.

After five years of teaching English and art at the secondary level, 
I decided to go to graduate school, but what subject? Take a wild 
guess. I liked libraries, I enjoyed the quiet atmosphere, and of 
course, I loved books, so it was pretty much a no-brainer. I was 
fortunate enough to receive a fellowship and also worked at the 
university library at Texas Woman's U.

Since I'd had no bachelor's-level library courses, I had to take 
"baby Cat" and a ref course in the summer session, and that was it! I 
fell in love with cataloging immediately. Suddenly it didn't seem so 
complex or mysterious any more. I went on to take regular cataloging 
(a required course then, I don't know if it still is) and Library of 
Congress Classification. The only thing I regretted was that there 
were so few courses about cataloging available even then (1969-70). I 
could really have used courses in cataloging and technical services 
management, but I took the management courses available and hoped 
they'd have some relevance to cataloging. (Most didn't.)

One thing that hasn't been mentioned a lot is that, IMO, different 
personality types are attracted to different areas and services. I'm 
a bit of an introvert and really dislike having to do reference. I'd 
much rather spend my time working out cataloging problems, and, 
besides, while I'm cooling my heels at the reference desk, my own 
work gathers dust on my desk. By the same token, I can't see a 
gregarious extrovert being very happy in the more "cloistered" world 
of tech services. There may be some, but I'd wager that most "techs" 
like a quiet workplace, well removed from the public areas.

I totally disagree with the current trend in library schools to 
eliminate cataloging as a required course. Even if one would never 
even think of pursuing a career in cataloging, it is absolutely 
helpful to have an understanding of cataloging and how decisions are 
made. My path to cataloging was "round about" but I do feel that 
personality types tend to gravitate toward the sort of situation 
where they feel most comfortable. When I retire, it'll be back to 
haunting the library and hauling out armloads of books again. Full circle.

Shirley Richardson
(My opinions are mine only)

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Shirley Richardson
Catalog Librarian
Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas 76909
E-mail: Shirley.Richardson@...
Phone: 325-942-2221 x
225
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