My training started with just being shown how to put the number on an
object, you know in the days of nail polish (gasp!) and then doing just that
for a few days. I was then given a quick lesson in how to use the computer
system and asked to do data entry from the old paper records.

I think this really helped me because it showed me how the people who worked
before me described objects and how much information they included.  I also
found that it was a great way for me to learn what not to do.  I would be
reading some of the entries thinking what in the world is this person
describing and also how could they leave that information out (such as the
title for the book that is being discribed!).

I find that the area that seems to be the most lacking, and hardest to do,
is writing a discription.  When I'm cataloging I always try to ask myself
"ok, 10 years or so down the road, if I'm not here, will someone be able to
find this object based on my discription?"

I would suggest that you (or your intern) try to make sure that trickery
items ( ie research intensive)are given to more experienced catalogers and
then perhaps used as an example for others.

As far as time frame goes.  It will probably depend on the person.  Do they
have a lot of computer and or research experience?  Do they already know
your software?  Have they had museum studies classes etc? Are they detailed
orienented?  The answers to these questions will have a great impact on how
fast, or slow, they will pick this up.

Above all encourage everyone to be patience.  You and the intern will need
to be patient with the volunteers, they will need to be patient with you,
and they will also need to be patient with themselves.

Heather Marie


>From: Keely Rennie-Tucker <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Training volunteers to catalog - advice needed
>Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 08:07:47 -0700
>
>Hello list members,
>
>I am going to put together a training session on cataloging for some of the
>volunteers at  our museum.  What are some of the more important lessons
>that were learned in your experiences with this?  Are there things I should
>watch out for?  How long does a project like this take?
>
>The goal is to have a collection of over 4,000 objects digitally
>photographed, cataloged and researched by the end of the year.  My gut
>reaction is that it can't be done in that small amount of time even with
>regular, dedicated volunteers. Since I have not taken on a project this
>immense as yet in my career, I am needing some advice and guidance on how
>start this project and what to expect.  I will have a part-time intern for
>a couple months during the summer and 3-4 volunteers that come in anywhere
>between 3-12 hours per week.
>
>Any advice is greatly appreciated!
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Keely Rennie-Tucker
>Curator
>Union Pacific Railroad Museum
>
>
>---------------------------------
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