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Technical Services Division
Technical Core Competencies

1. Knowledge of the path of materials processing through the division and the relationship of TSD to the other library departments as well as the ability to use this knowledge in problem solving.
To be proficient, one must:
  • Know the general path of newly acquired library materials through Tech Services.
  • Know in general what each production group does.
  • In one’s own work, be aware of where materials come from and where to send them after one’s own part is complete.
  • Be generally aware of the processes within one’s own team.
  • Know turnaround times for processes for which one is responsible.
  • Know where to go with problems that normally arise in one’s work.
  • Know proper channels for finding out where to go for problems if something new comes up.
  • Know how to recognize correct work in one’s assigned job.
2. Ability to identify format of materials, i.e., monograph, serial, microform, cd-rom, etc.
To be proficient, one must:
  • Recognize and identify formats by physical characteristics or written description on the materials request form, piece or online record.
  • Recognize and identify mixed format titles by physical characteristics or written description on the materials request form, piece or online record.
  • Recognize and identify missing pieces of mixed format titles by physical characteristics or written description on the materials request form, piece or online record.
3. Knowledge of the relationship between classification schemes and shelf order and ability to recognize classification scheme (LC vs. SUDOC vs. Dewey vs. Local).
To be proficient, one must:
  • Correctly identify classification scheme by looking at a call number.
  • Know the scheme that the UM Libraries uses for materials and the exceptions to the general rule (e.g. that Library School uses Dewey for its juvenile collection).
  • Know how to shelf read.
4. Ability to identify the different staff modules in the ILS and what they are used for.
To be proficient, one must:
  • Log into one’s primary functional module.
  • Recognize icons for other modules on the tool bar and know functions they represent.
  • Know which module to use for which task.
  • Know how to log out efficiently from modules.
  • Know what steps to take if log in is unsuccessful or the client is not performing correctly for the task.
  • Understand the relationship between the module’s capabilities and the user’s security permissions.
  • Know how to connect to other University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI) databases and when it is appropriate to do so.
5. Ability to search the local online system, both the Web PAC and Staff GUI PAC.
To be proficient, one must:
  • Understand the different searching options available and differences in result displays depending on whether a search is started from the Web PAC (the public catalog), the GUI PAC (the staff interface to the public catalog), or from within a module other than the GUI.
  • Choose the most efficient search for the task.
  • Use basic search strategies, focusing on a limited number of critical search key types determined by the production group.
  • Know the difference between a browse and a keyword search.
  • Identify records owned by the UM Libraries.
  • Understand the use of the navigation window in the GUI PAC.
  • In Web PAC, know how to display UM Libraries holdings, items, and summaries.
  • Capture screens and paste into word processing software or print from the ILS.
  • Interpret results to identify desired records.
6. Ability to recognize library bibliographic treatment.
To be proficient, one must:
  • Recognize that both the manner and the format in which library materials are issued or published largely determine the library bibliographic treatment given to them. Examples of types of library materials given different bibliographic treatments are: finite resource; continuing resource; integrating resource; serial; monograph; published in a series; etc.
  • Recognize and understand the library bibliographic treatment for the various types of library materials encountered in the course of daily work.
7. Ability to identify matching copy for materials by reading and interpreting bibliographic and holdings records.
To be proficient, one must:
  • Identify presence or absence of holdings on a record.
  • Locate and interpret the list of sublibrary and collection codes.
  • Know holdings locations used in the GUI PAC and Web PAC for UM Libraries.
  • Determine whether a serial record is active or inactive.
  • Compare materials-in-hand to bibliographic copy; read bibliographic records and interpret information found regarding title, authorship, publisher and date of publication.
  • Know how to employ basic searches in the Web PAC and the GUI PAC.
  • Distinguish between a serial record and a monograph record
8. Ability to read and interpret an order, check-in, or circulation record.
To be proficient, one must:
  • Identify items which are owned by UM Libraries.
  • Distinguish item records with dummy barcodes from those with real barcodes.
  • Recognize dummy item records and barcodes and understand their significance.
  • Identify the campus, sub-library, collection and call number assigned to an item.
  • Determine whether the item is part of a multi-part set and identify the volume number (and year when available).
  • Identify the item’s format (i.e. monograph, serial, video, etc.).
  • Identify items with Item Statuses relevant to Technical Services such as: on order, on loan, lost, etc.
  • Identify whether the item is attached to a full or provisional bibliographic record.
  • Know how to print an item record screen.
9. Knowledge of accepted preservation principles and practices as defined for the UM Libraries.
To be proficient, one must:
  • Be familiar with basic library materials structure.
  • Be familiar with all care/handling guidelines and the Preservation Shelving Guidelines. Use these guidelines to handle and process books and other materials without causing damage.
  • Recognize items with extreme condition problems, such as mold, wet books, or insect infestation, and take appropriate action as directed by Preservation guidelines or procedures.
  • Be familiar with and follow, as needed, the protocol for reporting disasters that affect collection materials.

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Last modified: August 15, 2005

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