For the most part, item records are generated at the point of receipt in Acquisitions Services. The materials are then routed to Cataloging & Metadata Services for cataloging. Once cataloged, the catalogers queue the labels, and the materials are routed to Marking & Plating Unit (M&P) for label production and end-processing. M&P is run by one full-time LAI with help from two students, who work about 20 hours per week combined.
When considering decentralizing marking and plating activities, there are issues to consider:
• Every branch doesn’t have support staff to perform the end processing, especially when branch libraries are losing their staff and cutting down their routine services
• Ordering and handling of supplies, involved in the end processing among PCL and branches, may cause more work and confusion
• Providing supplies to branches to perform the end processing will likely cost UT libraries more
As stated above, M&P is currently run by one LAI and two students at maximum capacity. Due to the assembly line style of their work, they are consistently able to end-process over 100,000 items per year. Considering the cost of running the M&P Unit and the services it provides to various circulation services, it does appear to be more practical and efficient to continue the centralized marking and plating practice. When staffing permits, receiving units may perform custom end-processing and/or corrections as needed.
-Robin Fradenburgh
