Cataloging, controlled access/search terms, and controlled vocabularies are an important part of access in the archives. Descriptive Notes, the blog of SAA's Description Section, wants to explore the different workflows, choices, and vocabularies used by archivists as they describe their collections.
How does your archives incorporate cataloging into your workflow? What controlled vocabularies do you use, or adapt? Does your institution create MARC records in addition to finding aids? Do you crosswalk data, or work independently? Does your institution have dedicated catalogers, or is processing staff responsible for cataloging? Does reference staff provide input on search terms? Or are you a solo arranger who does it all? Who decides what "selected search terms" go into a DACS-compliant finding aid? How do you apply controlled vocabulary terms throughout a finding aid description, not just in the search terms? How do users typically discover your collections - through catalog records, or through a finding aid interface?
Descriptive Notes wants to hear from you for our new series on Cataloging Description!
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Katherine Madison
Lead Editor, Descriptive Notes
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