Library Systems and Technical Services
HEATHER MILLER, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, UL B34, 442-3631
(e-mail: hmiller@uamail.albany.edu)
The Division of Library Systems and Technical Services, located in the University Library on the uptown campus, acquires, catalogs, processes, and provides access to the materials housed in the University Library, Science Library, and the Thomas E. Dewey Graduate Library for Public Affairs and Policy on the downtown campus.
The division comprises three departments, organized according to function:
Acquisitions Services
Cataloging Services
Library Systems
The Division interacts with all other divisions and departments within the University Libraries. Technical support functions are fully automated and integrated through the Library's online information system which contains over 1,200,000 bibliographic records representing the more than 2 million volumes in the Library's collections. The system also acts as a gateway to electronic journals and other online resources.
The Acquisitions Services Department is responsible for the ordering, receiving and paying for library materials added to the University Libraries' collections. Acquisitions handles all types of library materials, such as books, videos, software, periodicals and electronic resources, in various languages and across all disciplines. All work is done in the acquisitions module of the integrated library system. Materials are selected for purchase by Bibliographers in the Division of Collections and User Services, often with input from teaching faculty. The head of Acquisitions Services meets regularly with library material vendors to learn about the latest products and services and to ensure continued service beneficial to the University Libraries. The department is also in charge of the management of the materials budget, monitoring spending continually throughout the fiscal year and ensuring that the budget is spent completely by the end of the year.
The Cataloging Services Department is responsible for the cataloging and classification of information resources selected by the University Libraries and adding this information to the University Libraries' online catalog. In addition, the Department maintains the integrity of the catalog by updating bibliographic information and holdings, and prepares materials for the shelves and for the commercial bindery.
The Department's primary source for bibliographic and authority records is the Online Computer Library Center (commonly known as OCLC). Other sources include MARCIVE, Inc. (provider of bibliographic records for federal documents) and originally produced records for resources that lack records. The Department also works with the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives to catalog their materials. Additionally, the Department enhances Minerva with bibliographic records for electronic journals and provides SFX functionality.
Library Systems supports staff and public computing in the University Libraries, including over 500 PCs and a number of servers.
Aleph 500, the Libraries' online library automation system, provides relational database and application software for purchasing, checking in, cataloging, circulating, and providing public searching access to the Libraries' print and electronic collections. The Minerva online catalog provides public access to this system via the Web, and its Z39.50 server enables Minerva to be searched as part of several virtual union catalogs including CaDiLaC Online and SUNYConnect.
The tasks of acquiring, providing access to, and managing the collections of the University Libraries require the concerted efforts of all departments within the Division. The great variety of tasks allows the Division to offer both Internship and Graduate Assistantship opportunities to the School of Information Science and Policy, thereby providing a laboratory for a wide range of theoretical and practical experiences, as well as providing study opportunities for international librarians.
