Effective communication protocols
General guidelines
When emailing the full Catalogers group, if the intended audience is fewer than 15 libraries, include the affected libraries' NSLS codes in the subject line.
If the intended audience is 5 or fewer libraries, consider emailing only those libraries rather than the full group.
Follow the CCS listserv guidelines and standard listserv etiquette, like OLAC-L Netiquette. For example, when forwarding or replying to a message, trim down the original post or quote appropriate passages.
Whom to contact when
- Catalogers (for general announcements, discussion, record merges/splits, etc.)
- cats@lists.ccslib.org
- SCRAP committee (for policy questions, suggestions, etc.)
- scrap@lists.ccslib.org
- Specific library technical services departments (for issues affecting 5 or fewer libraries)
- xxxtech@ccslib.org, using the old NSLS codes (e.g., alktech@ccslib.org)
- A specific person
- Use that person's individual email address. (List not maintained on this wiki.)
Forward vs reply vs reply all
- Forward requires you to specify your recipient.
- Reply replies to the original sender or the entire list.
- Reply all replies to the sender and all of the recipients, including CC: and BCC: recipients.
Checking items
When an existing record must be split up, especially when ISBNs need to be removed from an existing bibliographic record, or when there is some question as to whether the libraries all own the same thing, send an e-mail to the Catalogers describing the situation and begin the subject with VERIFY:, so that those libraries can check their holdings and decide to which record their copies should be attached.
If library staff discover that other libraries' item records have volumes that do not match the dominant pattern, the individual can correct the volume designation in the item records for the other libraries. After correcting this field, they must contact the library to inform them that the change has been made.
As with other correspondence, when fewer than 15 libraries are attached to the affected record(s), also include the libraries' codes in the subject line. When 5 or fewer libraries are affected, consider emailing only those libraries. Department email addresses can be found on the Technical Services Department Information page.