DMS

Database Management Services (DMS) catalogs all books which have Library of Congress copy. Additionally, DMS is responsible for the final physical processing, such as spine labeling and property stamping, of cataloged materials before they are sent to Circulation for shelving. DMS also edits or creates item records to show what kind of material the library owns, and where the materials are shelved. The item records also let patrons know the status of a piece within the collection (such as when a piece has been checked out, or is missing, etc.)

If the online catalog shows the status of a piece as IN PROCESS DMS, the material has been cataloged and is waiting for final processing in DMS. To request expedited processing of these titles, please complete the Rush Cataloging Form.

DMS is additionally responsible for authority control. Authority control involves standardizing the forms of names or subjects which are used in cataloging records in the online catalog, and creating cross-references from variant forms of these headings. This provides the basic structure that insures that patrons can find all the books by a particular author (or on a particular subject) when searching the catalog.

Metadata/eCommons Unit

The Metadata/eCommons Unit is responsible for working with other library departments on metadata requirements, and applying metadata standards and schema to the library’s digital collections. The University's Institutional Repository is also managed by this unit. In addition, the Metadata/eCommons Unit is also responsible for cataloging web-based books, as well as ensuring links to those books are working properly. While electronic books at the Alkek Library are always available online, any errors, broken links, or questions regarding this part of the collection should be directed to the directed to the Metadata/eCommons Unit.

Media

The Media Cataloging Unit catalogs monographic materials for the Alkek Library which are in a variety of formats. DVDs, videos, CD-ROMs, sound recordings, models, kits, maps and atlases are just a few examples of the types of material processed by our Unit. Materials that have been received but not processed have a status of IN MEDIA CAT in the online catalog. To request expedited processing of these titles, please complete the Rush Cataloging Form.

Monographs

The Monographs Cataloging Unit is responsible for cataloging books for the Alkek Library. An item status of IN PROCESS BOOKS indicates that the book has been received and is located in the Monographs Cataloging Unit awaiting processing. Please use the Rush Cataloging Form to request prompt processing of a specific book.

Music

The Music Cataloging unit catalogs most materials destined for the Music Library, including books, musical scores, compact discs, DVDs and software. Materials that have been received but not processed may have a status of IN PROCESS MUSIC or include the subject ** IN PROCESS MUSIC ** in the online catalog. To request expedited processing of these titles, please complete the Rush Cataloging Form.

Serials

The Serials Cataloging Unit catalogs serial publications in all formats, including print, electronic databases, videos, DVDs, electronic journals, microforms, and many others. The unit also handles the theses and dissertations on microfilm and maintains serials holdings records. A serial is "a publication in any medium issued in successive parts bearing numeric or chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely. Serials include periodicals; newspapers; annuals (reports, yearbooks, etc.); the journals, memoirs, proceedings, transactions, etc., of societies; and numbered monographic series." They also include loose-leaf materials. Materials that have been received in the Serials Unit, but not cataloged, may have a status of IN PROCESS SER in the online catalog. To request expedited processing of these titles, please complete the Rush Cataloging Form.

Special Collections

The Special Collections Cataloging Unit catalogs materials primarily located in The Wittliff Collections. This includes not only the general area of Special Collections, but also Southwestern Writers, Wittliff Gallery of Southwestern & Mexican Photography, and University Archives. The unit also assists in the encoding of archival finding aids and minor preservation activities.

Materials that have been received but not processed may have a status of IN PROCESS SC in the online catalog. To request expedited processing of these titles, please complete the Rush Cataloging Form. Materials cataloged for one of these collections are restricted to “room use” only on the 7th floor.

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