Technical Services
Behind the Scenes
Technical services staff acquire resources and prepare the resources for use. Staff organize the items for the library collection by deciding where each item fits into the collection and then preparing a record of each item to add to the catalog.
Your library may have separate online systems for accomplishing these tasks, or systems that coordinate the whole process. Part of technical services is selecting systems that allow some activities, such as Interlibrary Loan or placing books on hold, to be done by the user on the Web.
Library organization usually means classifying (deciding where an item will be located so that it is with materials on a similar topic) and assigning a location code (call number) to indicate where an item will be physically located in the library. (You will learn more about classification, call numbers, and the catalog on the next few pages.) Much cataloging is "copy cataloging," using pre-existing records from online vendors (like OCLC) so everybody doesn't have to catalog everything, every time!
What would the library be like without technical services to organize materials? Probably it would be like that drawer in your kitchen -- the "everything" drawer where you put all the stuff you don't know what to do with. If you don't have a drawer like that, keep it to yourself. Your perfection will depress your co-workers!
Getting technical
Following are typical examples of technical services. Each process may involve online or Web systems, coordinating the systems to get information about items connected throughout the complete process of selection, purchase, cataloging, and circulation. Technical services also require keeping up with pesky legal stuff such as copyright and licensing agreements so libraries know who can use what source, where, when, and how often.
Collection Development -- selecting materials such as books, videos, CDs,
databases, Internet sites, or periodicals (magazines) that library users need.
Acquisitions or Purchasing -- processing orders
and working with vendors (suppliers) to get materials.
Cataloging -- classifying items and preparing a record of each item for the
library's catalog. Using national standards so your library can participate in statewide projects such as
More for Ohio, "where any
library user can request an item from any Ohio library and check it out from the
user’s home library."
Interlibrary Loan -- participating in sharing of resources among libraries in
the state and in the country, so your library can borrow or lend items to other libraries.
Serials control -- keeping track of the periodicals (magazines) in the
library.
Keeping it all going - administration, support, systems
Many who work in the library to support the mission are administrators, support
staff, and systems staff. Administrators make long-range plans for the library and market
the library, assuring that the library continues to be a positive force in the community. Learn more about how staff work to
market the library, letting the community know what the library has to offer, in Marketing the Library
web training.
"Support" staff do just that - provide needed support in carrying out the functions of library operations. Systems people make technology work - for users and for the staff who provide service to users. Staff who design library Web sites are responsible for understanding public services, technical services, user needs, and how to put them all together in the Web environment. Digital Services Systems Administration and Database Administration staff are responsible for installing, supporting, and maintaining library servers, assisting with the development, implementation and management of systems, managing networks and communications. Everyone who works in a library is part of the library mission of service to the community.
Full-time staff in Ohio libraries range in size from less than one to more than 700. That makes for a lot of variety in services provided and the number of staff available to provide them -- not to mention the variety in the size of library organizational charts!
What Now?
Complete the Activity, try the Explore section, and then go on to the next page: The Library Catalog.
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