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The Technical Services Department, comprised of four interrelated sections, Technology, Cataloging, Processing, and Mending, is responsible for cataloging, automation projects, hardware and software maintenance, and the processing and mending of all library materials.

Technology

Our Information Services division maintains all the computer operations in the library, for both the public and the staff. Information Services coordinates the installation of automation equipment and programs, and troubleshoots any technical problems.

Cataloging

Our cataloging division creates and maintains over 225,000 bibliographic records in the database, and the 330,000 + holdings records attached to them. These records help patrons find material on a topic, or by a particular author, determine if the library owns a specific title, and identify where it is available for them to use. Records are created for a variety of formats, including books, videos, compact discs, and printed music, and in a number of languages.

Processing

Before any item can go on the shelf, it needs to be labeled and barcoded. Depending on the format, protective covers are added in a variety of ways, including plastic book jackets, hard covers for AV items, and reinforcement for paperbacks. Multi-part kits are identified and labeled to insure their proper return to the set.

Mending

Circulation-worn books that need rejuvenation come to mending for repair. Our mending division cures a variety of ills, including broken spines, loose and torn pages, missing barcodes, unreadable labels, and tattered covers. Soft-cover items are reinforced with a durable plastic film to give them additional circulation life. Critical mending cases go to urgent care, otherwise known as the bindery. These books are returned with beautiful hard covers and cleaned pages.