After pulling some long hours over the weekend I finished up my project early. Upon the initial submission for validation I had an error, I didn't provide a controlled access heading.
To determine the controlled access heading for the finding aid I consulted the LOC Authorities. In the authorities I found a heading that fit perfectly, Akron Art Museum--Exhibitions. It seems that no matter what avenue of library/information science a person is in the beast that is cataloging always makes an appearance.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
08.01.2010
I previewed the finding aid today since I'm almost done with it. It seems to have all the information a researcher would need. Some of the newer exhibitions I hyper linked directly to the Art Museums Website.
Hyperlinks will provide researchers with immediate information and provide traffic to the site, which in turn will result in more people enjoying the art museum.
Hyperlinks will provide researchers with immediate information and provide traffic to the site, which in turn will result in more people enjoying the art museum.
07.31.2010
The tech guy responded and said that copying the word document into notepad will remove any special characters. That's a good thing since I'm almost done.
Before working with the tool I wasn't sure where to include information about special formats that are within certain files. I now know that there is a genre/format section is DACS that is especially for this.
Before working with the tool I wasn't sure where to include information about special formats that are within certain files. I now know that there is a genre/format section is DACS that is especially for this.
Friday, July 30, 2010
07.30.2010
More uploading today. I have made it to 1988 so far, it's actully going faster than I had predicted.
I emailed the tech guy in charge of the EAD tool today. I noticed that there was a warning that copiyng and pasting from Microsoft Word can cause a validation error, that would be no good. So, what I've been doing is transferring the info into Notepad, removing any formating (spaces etc.), and then copying that into the finding aid tool.
The tech guy has yet to respond. But I hope my plan works.
I emailed the tech guy in charge of the EAD tool today. I noticed that there was a warning that copiyng and pasting from Microsoft Word can cause a validation error, that would be no good. So, what I've been doing is transferring the info into Notepad, removing any formating (spaces etc.), and then copying that into the finding aid tool.
The tech guy has yet to respond. But I hope my plan works.
07.29.2010
Continued to uploa the finding aid into the Ohio Link Database. I noticed that since there are exhibitions included on the finding aid that have no archival material records, this document is really more of an inventory.
Due to it being a inventory it is quite large, 36 pages. It may take longer than 50 hours to accomplish this goal. Therefore I am uploading the information with the highest research value first. The date spans with the highest values are the ones that are most recent; so I have started with 2010 and I am working backwards.
Due to it being a inventory it is quite large, 36 pages. It may take longer than 50 hours to accomplish this goal. Therefore I am uploading the information with the highest research value first. The date spans with the highest values are the ones that are most recent; so I have started with 2010 and I am working backwards.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
07.28.2010
Worked from 1130-630pm on the project, so I'm 13 hours in. Today I finally began working with the finding aid tool. It's easy to use. Using the tool has made me understand the DACS elements extensively, which is nice.
There is one problem, I'm not sure there is a way to load multiple items into a file at once with this tool. Unlike EAD with XML you can simply copy and paste as many lines as desired into the XML editor at the item level. I emailed my Ohio Link Finding Aid Creation Tool contact about this. Hopefully, I will have an answer by tomorrow. If not, this project has to be sized down to gain a good final product.
There is one problem, I'm not sure there is a way to load multiple items into a file at once with this tool. Unlike EAD with XML you can simply copy and paste as many lines as desired into the XML editor at the item level. I emailed my Ohio Link Finding Aid Creation Tool contact about this. Hopefully, I will have an answer by tomorrow. If not, this project has to be sized down to gain a good final product.
07.23.2010
Since I'm working from home I pick which days I'll be working. So, I may update on Weekends etc. Anyway today I worked from 10am-4pm as usual on a Friday.
The day consisted of transferring information from the exhibition list to the finding aid. This process is taking longer than I expected and is eating into the amount of time I will have to actually upload information into the EAD tool. I may have to talk to Ellie about only including exhibitions with actual records into the EAD finding aid.
The day consisted of transferring information from the exhibition list to the finding aid. This process is taking longer than I expected and is eating into the amount of time I will have to actually upload information into the EAD tool. I may have to talk to Ellie about only including exhibitions with actual records into the EAD finding aid.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
07.21.2010
I'm officially working from home. My project (50 hours) is able to be completed from my at home PC.
Today I worked on manually migrating all the data from the exhibition list onto the finding aid. This should take a good amount of time, so I should start and complete the EAD markup by the end of next week.
Today I worked on manually migrating all the data from the exhibition list onto the finding aid. This should take a good amount of time, so I should start and complete the EAD markup by the end of next week.
Friday, July 16, 2010
07.16.2010
I have officially finished all of my required on site hours and will begin my project next Wednesday working from my PC at home. I finished up adjusting the finding aid and updating the exhibition lists and began working with the finding aid tool today.
While working with the finding aid tool I (finally) figured out the difference between the arrangement terms used at the AAM archives and the terms used in EAD. They are as follows:
Record Group=Series
series=subseries
File=box
I also finally have the SAA terms completely figured out:
Record Group=Collection
Series
File Unit
Item
I think the practicum has done me some good. It only took 100 hours to figure this out :)
While working with the finding aid tool I (finally) figured out the difference between the arrangement terms used at the AAM archives and the terms used in EAD. They are as follows:
Record Group=Series
series=subseries
File=box
I also finally have the SAA terms completely figured out:
Record Group=Collection
Series
File Unit
Item
I think the practicum has done me some good. It only took 100 hours to figure this out :)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
07.15.2010
I started working on the finding aid for the exhibition records today. There was some confusion due to a disconnect in understand archival terms. My supervisor was coming from and archival standpoint while I was coming from special collections. I referred to a records group as a collection. Maybe it's my time up at CSU that had me talking that way, who knows.
Tomorrow I will finish the finding aid and begin to work on my project. Once the finding aid is confirmed by Ellie I will be able to complete my project from home, nice.
Tomorrow I will finish the finding aid and begin to work on my project. Once the finding aid is confirmed by Ellie I will be able to complete my project from home, nice.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
07.14.2010
Today consisted of searching the exhibition files for additional provenance information on the exhibition records. The exhibition files are the records kept on every exhibit the comes through The Akron Art Museum. The type of records within the exhibition files, receipts for purchases, accessioning information, and curators correspondence. Once I finished doing this I put the exhibition records into the appropriate series.
I also made new labels for the new boxes that had accumulated within particular series.
The rest of the day was spent doing library related activities including; entering books in an Access Database and copy cataloging utilizing OCLC.
I also made new labels for the new boxes that had accumulated within particular series.
The rest of the day was spent doing library related activities including; entering books in an Access Database and copy cataloging utilizing OCLC.
Friday, July 9, 2010
07.09.2010
I have officially finished processing the exhibition files! I didn't know I could be this excited. After finishing the processing up I began to describe the in the finding aid. I majority of the records were already described I just added some notes like: contains 1 photograph or contains VHS recording.
I was always told that knowing the provenance of an item is important, but today I really began to understand this. Within some of the folders there are photographs of unidentified people. The provenance for these items are usually unknown. So, instead of having a valuable photograph that could have some research purpose you essentially just have a useless picture.
I was always told that knowing the provenance of an item is important, but today I really began to understand this. Within some of the folders there are photographs of unidentified people. The provenance for these items are usually unknown. So, instead of having a valuable photograph that could have some research purpose you essentially just have a useless picture.
07.08.2010
Today was more of the same. I continued to process to the exhibition collection. I'm up the the early 21st century so I'm almost done!Tomorrow I should be able to finish the processing and arrangement.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
07.07.2010
The practicum is back on!
Today I worked solely on archiving duties. First, I continued to arrange and describe the exhibition records up through 1988. Within the different folders I found records that would fit more appropriately into different series. For example, some records were public program documents not exhibition files.
After the exhibition records arrangement was over I appraised some current records produced by the Akron Art Museum. Mostly these records consist of fliers for the exhibitions, press releases, general history of the AAM and speeches given by trustees.
Today I worked solely on archiving duties. First, I continued to arrange and describe the exhibition records up through 1988. Within the different folders I found records that would fit more appropriately into different series. For example, some records were public program documents not exhibition files.
After the exhibition records arrangement was over I appraised some current records produced by the Akron Art Museum. Mostly these records consist of fliers for the exhibitions, press releases, general history of the AAM and speeches given by trustees.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
06.16.2010
Today was my last day before my practicum goes into hiatus, beginning again on July 7th. I began by adding accretions to the appropriate collections and series. I learned this can be a little tricky -it's important to have a good understanding of what each series really contains and not to assume that the title given to the series fully describes its contents.
The rest of the day was spent cataloging, applying bar codes and entering books into the access database. While cataloging I noticed that some of the books were marked as "reference". I asked Ellie how she decided what was reference and what would be considered part of the main collection. She referred me to this definition a book of "information [that] is intended to be quickly found when needed".
The rest of the day was spent cataloging, applying bar codes and entering books into the access database. While cataloging I noticed that some of the books were marked as "reference". I asked Ellie how she decided what was reference and what would be considered part of the main collection. She referred me to this definition a book of "information [that] is intended to be quickly found when needed".
Saturday, June 12, 2010
06.11.2010
I finally finished arranging the exhibition records, huzah! After that was done I entered some new books into the database. I will begin cataloging these books next Wednesday. Before I went home for the weekend I shelved and began typing up the labels for the new boxes for the exhibition records.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
06.10.2010
Today I continued to arrange the exhibition files. I also had a chance to edit the finding aid to reflect the new arrangement.
To break up the arranging frenzy I also did more technical service duties which included; labeling books and cataloging.
To break up the arranging frenzy I also did more technical service duties which included; labeling books and cataloging.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
06.09.2010
Today I attended a museum wide staff meeting. The heads of every department spoke about what was happening in their particular area.
I finished the arrangement of the exhibition files. Tomorrow I will begin describing them in the finding aid which. Then I will use EAD to mark these updated finding aids up to make them available online.
I answered some reference questions today as well. I pulled all the information that the library had on a particular artist, and searched the internet for reputable current news articles.
I finished the arrangement of the exhibition files. Tomorrow I will begin describing them in the finding aid which. Then I will use EAD to mark these updated finding aids up to make them available online.
I answered some reference questions today as well. I pulled all the information that the library had on a particular artist, and searched the internet for reputable current news articles.
Friday, June 4, 2010
06.04.2010
Today I answered my first reference question. A woman came in saying that she had searched Google and found none of the information she needed on a person. I used Worldcat to search the name and pulled up some information immediately! Worldcat is a great tool that I feel more patrons need to be aware of.
Other than that I continued arranging the exhibition records and I will soon begin developing the finding aid. Since its Friday how about a video? it's interesting to me because of my fascination with digital preservation. Enjoy!
Other than that I continued arranging the exhibition records and I will soon begin developing the finding aid. Since its Friday how about a video? it's interesting to me because of my fascination with digital preservation. Enjoy!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
6.3.2010
Today was archive mania, I loved it! First Ellie and I went over to the AHAP archives and got a demonstration from Rhonda on how to use the EAD tool. OhioLink uses a tool that allows for the creation of simple EAD finding aids. I will be using this tool a lot because my project consists of making EAD finding aids for the exhibition records.
After having this meeting I came to realize that I would have to rearrange and describe some of the materials within the exhibition files before encoding them. So, I'm gaining more experience in the basic steps in archival administration.
After having this meeting I came to realize that I would have to rearrange and describe some of the materials within the exhibition files before encoding them. So, I'm gaining more experience in the basic steps in archival administration.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
06.02.2010
Today I started off by putting some archival materials into an existing collection. After that I placed labels on some mail that is apart of the library exchange program.
The library exchange program includes 100's of art, historical and public libraries. These libraries exchange books between each other, I think of it as an "OhioLink" method but on the world wide scale.
After the labeling was done, I did more labeling! I labeled books that had already been cataloged. In a larger library this activity would have been done in technical services. The more my practicum progresses the more I am beginning to understand the correlation between the size of a library or repository, and the amount of work the information science professional is required to do. The smaller the institution the more work! I kind of like the amount of work that must be done-there are no dull moments.
The library exchange program includes 100's of art, historical and public libraries. These libraries exchange books between each other, I think of it as an "OhioLink" method but on the world wide scale.
After the labeling was done, I did more labeling! I labeled books that had already been cataloged. In a larger library this activity would have been done in technical services. The more my practicum progresses the more I am beginning to understand the correlation between the size of a library or repository, and the amount of work the information science professional is required to do. The smaller the institution the more work! I kind of like the amount of work that must be done-there are no dull moments.
Friday, May 28, 2010
05.28.2010
The selection and appraisal I have been doing over the past few days have moved into the next steps, arrangement and description! I arranged the materials according to the the predetermined standards put forth by the former intern. After the arrangement is completely done I will have to make some changes to the finding aid.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
05.27.2010
Before beginning the activities of the day Ellie gave me a document that included the daily activities I would be engaging in. The activities can be grouped into two categories archival duties and library duties.
The library duties include:
-Auction Catalogs (research the prices of recent auction materials for the curators)
-Copy Cataloging
-Serials
-Shelving
The Archival duties include:
-Artist Files (accumulated archival materials about artists such as; newspaper clippings, deaths etc)
-Archives (everything from selection to description in the finding aid)
-Acquisitions and database entry
-Research (help staff and researchers find archival material for their projects)
Of the aforementioned activities today I entered books into a database. This is a preliminary step in the creation of a card catalog record for the item. I also continued my appraisal duties and began to arrange some of these resources.
The library duties include:
-Auction Catalogs (research the prices of recent auction materials for the curators)
-Copy Cataloging
-Serials
-Shelving
The Archival duties include:
-Artist Files (accumulated archival materials about artists such as; newspaper clippings, deaths etc)
-Archives (everything from selection to description in the finding aid)
-Acquisitions and database entry
-Research (help staff and researchers find archival material for their projects)
Of the aforementioned activities today I entered books into a database. This is a preliminary step in the creation of a card catalog record for the item. I also continued my appraisal duties and began to arrange some of these resources.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
05.26.2010
Today was my first day at the Akron Art Museum's Martha Stecher Reed Library. The first thing Ellie Ward (my practicum adviser) and I did was attend a meeting with the museum curator and assistant curator.
The main role of the librarian in this meeting was to determine what were the best books to purchase. The curators told Ms. Ward what shows were coming up and she would then determine what books were appropriate for purchase.
After the meeting we headed back downstairs to the library. I then began the preliminary appraisal of some new acquisitions into the libraries archival collections. It was good times!
The main role of the librarian in this meeting was to determine what were the best books to purchase. The curators told Ms. Ward what shows were coming up and she would then determine what books were appropriate for purchase.
After the meeting we headed back downstairs to the library. I then began the preliminary appraisal of some new acquisitions into the libraries archival collections. It was good times!
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