Dear listserv members,

Thanks to those of you who replied to my query in April regarding the involvement of librarians in cataloging fine art collection objects. My apologies for the delay in summarizing the responses.

The largest amount of responses came from librarians who were interested in contributing to object/art cataloging at their institutions, but did not yet have ongoing projects.

One UK institution reported that, when the art collection was part of the library, it was cataloged using MARC (respondent didn’t indicate background of catalogers, but I assume librarians). (When the art collection moved out of the library to Collections Department, objects re-cataloged using in-house system.)

One European institution reported that they have a “Collections Information” department, the staff of which has either information science/library degrees or art degrees (several staff members have both).

Specifically, the two catalogers hold art degrees; and five “information specialists” who “do cataloguing, documentation and information service” have information science/library degrees.

One Canadian respondent had cataloged three-dimensional objects in a (non-art) museum as an intern during library school.

One Registrar of a U.S. art museum, whose responsibilities include object cataloging, has an undergrad degree in art history and an MLIS.

To add our own experience: at the Albright-Knox, two art catalogers enhance object records created by the Registrars department, using information provided by our curators, the registrars, internal documentation, and trusted sources such as exhibition catalogues and catalogue raisonnés. We are using CDWA/CCO, and the Getty vocabularies for our controlled vocabs. One cataloger has an B.A. and M.A in English, and an MLIS. The other has a B.A. in art history and an MLIS. We report to the Head of Research Resources, who is the head of the museum’s library and archives.

We would like to keep the discussion of the role of librarians in art/object cataloging alive, particularly for those who are embarking on similar projects at their institutions. If you are interested in sharing concerns/ideas via email, please let me know and we can start an informal email discussion group.

We are also happy to answer any questions about what we are doing at the Albright-Knox off-list, if you prefer.

Thanks to all for your responses.

Sincerely,
Gabriela Zoller

Gabriela Zoller

Art Cataloger, IMLS Museums for America Grant

Albright-Knox Art Gallery

1285 Elmwood Avenue

Buffalo, New York 14222

716.270.8277 (ph)

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From: Susana Tejada
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 12:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Query regarding use of librarians in cataloging fine art collection objects

Dear colleagues:

We at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery are interested in learning how many art museums are using librarians to catalog fine art collection objects.

If you are a librarian that catalogs collection objects, would you mind sharing with me (at [log in to unmask]) the following:

- your name and/or title

- if you hold an MLS/MLIS, or are a librarian by experience

- where you fit in to your institution’s organizational schema

This email has been posted to the MIMSY UK user group, MCN and TMS listservs, so please forgive any duplication.

Many thanks!