After the department library has been thoroughly organized and cataloged, the department librarian goes on with the lighter task of cataloging the current accessions of his library for both the department and the general catalog.
Some of the advantages of thus having the work done by the trained department librarians are:
1. It adds several workers to the cataloging force of the library, and thus makes it possible to do much more in the way of providing needed departmental catalogs. This fact has been of great importance with us at the University of Minnesota, where, with the present cataloging force alone, it would have been impossible to provide these catalogs. Besides, there is the advantage to the general library of getting the cataloging of these same books done for the general catalog.
2. The department librarian should have, and generally does have, special knowledge of his subject, which is of assistance in cataloging, especially in classification and the assignment of subject headings.
3. As the work is done in the department it is easy for the department librarian to consult the professors whenever necessary or desirable.
4. There is a real advantage to the department librarian in the added familiarity with the department books which he has gained in cataloging them. This is particularly true in the case of the librarian who, in the beginning, is not a specialist in his subject, but even the specialist may gain some knowledge from this handling of the material which will help him in the service of his readers. Moreover, if he has actually made the catalog, he can use it more intelligently himself and instruct his students better in the use of it.
Our scheme has certain disadvantages as well as advantages. Some of these are:
1. There is danger that not enough cataloging research work will be done when the cataloging is done in the department library, because many of the important catalog and bibliographical aids are not accessible outside the catalog department—for example, the depository or union catalog of printed cards.
2. There is danger that the existing records will not be consulted enough, because the general catalog is not easily accessible and can only be consulted on special trips to the main library.
3. When the work is thus decentralized, there is much greater difficulty in obtaining from the various assistants work which is even fairly uniform. No one who has had experience in trying to manage such work will minimize this difficulty. For this reason, the revision is more difficult, and must be done with the greatest care, especially in the matter of subject headings.