The Technical Services Department is the section of
the library which orders, catalogs, processes, and enters all the items
onto the database. There are 4 people in this department. One is
full-time and the others are part-time.
The library receives catalogs in the mail. The
Periodicals Clerk puts a routing slip on each catalog and gives them to
the selectors in the Adult Services and Youth Services Departments. After
the selectors have chosen the items they want, the catalogs are given to
the Acquisitions Clerk. The the database is checked to see if the library
already owns the items. If it doesn’t, the items are put on order and
then ordered from a jobber. When the items come in, the Acquisitions
Clerk opens the boxes, checks the packing list/invoice against the items
received, pulls the confirmation cards and puts them with the items,
tallies the items on the New Material Sheet, and gives them to the person
who selected them. If the items are accepted, they are then given to the
Technical Services Supervisor for cataloging.
When an item is cataloged, a shelf list card is typed
up with all the purchasing information on it. A barcode is put inside
each item and a call number label is typed up and attached. After the
items are cataloged, they are given to the Processing Clerk. The items
are stamped with the library ownership stamp, the call number, purchasing
information, and barcode number are written inside the item, and a date
due slip is taped inside. Books are given a plastic cover, if necessary.
The items are then given back to the Technical Services Supervisor for
entry onto the database. New items are given to the Circulation
Department to shelve. Other items are put on the pages’ shelves for
shelving. The items are now ready for the public to check out.