Fundamentals of Technical Services

Written by librarians working and teaching on the front lines, this guide uses a functional, hands-on approach to lay out the basics of technical services, from acquiring new materials to making them available to library users. Perfect for those just moving into the profession, as well as library staff in need of a brush up, Fundamentals of Technical Services concisely examinesWhat precisely Technical Services are, with a brief history of the fieldCollection development and acquisitions, including budgeting, ordering, and receivingMetadata and cataloging, from MARC to RDADealing with different kinds of materials, including books/monographs, serials, video, audio, and electronic/e-resourcesThe basics of physical processingSystems such as ILS, ERM, and EDICollection maintenance issues such as book repair/preservation and weedingAuthority control and database maintenanceVendors, contracts, workflow, and other administrative functionsForward-looking analysis of important trends and developments such as pricing, consortia/co-ops, languages of materials, and outsourcing. Complete with a handy glossary, this primer provides essential coverage of the broad array of technical services and how the library’s back-office operations work together.