Keely: Thus far you have you have received excellent practical advice on the
the process of cataloging. My advice is of a slightly different nature and
concerns the individuals who will be working for you. First of all, how do
you know they are all capable of cataloging objects? Most people think that
if you provide instructions, both verbally and written, that everyone can do
it. As someone who has trained over 80 people in this process through the
years, I find that not everyone is equal when it comes to cataloging.
Some get confused by the process even after going over it three or four
times. Their minds just don't work in a systematic linear matter.
Some loose interest and leave or do not make an effort to produce a
consistent product.
Some do not have good handwriting. A must in some of the paperwork where I
am employed.
Some cannot for the life of them write good artifact descriptions
(objectively).
Some have trouble with research either not being able to find it without
help or finding too much and not being able to make a decision on what is
necessary. You need to specify how much information is suitable for this
purpose and that you do not need a dissertation. Having specific fields
identified will help you and your volunteer/intern.
Some cannot use a digital camera and put it on the computer to save (or
whatever method you use). Fear of technology.
Also do you already know how much supervision they will need? Some are
self-motived and can work fine independantly, others need a cataloging
partner, still others need to have questions answered every 15 minutes
because they are afraid of making mistakes. Still there are the others that
barge ahead without direction and then you have to back track to correct
their errors.
Hopefully you already know the qualifications and abilities of these
individuals. If you don't, you might want to test them and find out what
their strengths and weaknesses are by having them catalog one object all the
way through the process or one small group of objects. From this exercise,
you might determine that you need one to work exclusively on writing
descriptions, one or two working on research, one doing photography, etc.
With that said, I think 4000 by the end of the year is a bit ambitious if it
includes research and their vacations and sick days. You also have to
include your own time in supervising the small crew and checking all of
their work.
Dawn Scher Thomae
Milwaukee Public Museum
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Keely Rennie-Tucker
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2004 10:08 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Training volunteers to catalog - advice needed
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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