Bridging Collection Development and Cataloging

Cross-departmental collaboration and communication are important to the efficiency and success of a library’s acquisitions, cataloging, and collections maintenance workflows. This article shares workflows developed at the Centre College Library that streamline processes and keep affiliated staff aware of common issues and idiosyncrasies in the areas of ordering, cataloging, and weeding. It provides an overview of micro-training implemented for non-catalogers using the OCLC Worldshare Management Services (WMS) Acquisitions module; and discusses the importance of ongoing communication between the Acquisitions and Cataloging departments to ensure maximum accuracy of the ordering, cataloging, and processing of print materials in the collection. This article will be particularly useful to librarians at small colleges with small technical services and acquisitions departments, and librarians looking to bridge workflows across departments.