Interview with Cataloging Librarian from Sesser-Valier By Lisa McClerren

Before introducing the cataloging- librarian, here’s a little bit of information about Sesser –Valier. Two small communities joined together in one school system.

Population of Sesser is 2800 Population of the school is 778 Population of Valier is 332 Country: United States State: Illinois County: Franklin County Population: 2,128 (2000 census); 2,136 (2005 estimate) Latitude: 38° 5' 30" N (38.092°) Longitude: 89° 3' 1" W (-89.05°) Elevation: 480 ft./146 m above sea level Zip code(s): 62884 Area code(s): 618 Time zone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6), DST observed Population 2800 Sesser

Country: United States State: Illinois County: Franklin County Population: 2,128 (2000 census); 2,136 (2005 estimate) Latitude: 38° 5' 30" N (38.092°) Longitude: 89° 3' 1" W (-89.05°) Elevation: 480 ft./146 m above sea level Zip code(s): 62884 Area code(s): 618 Time zone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6), DST observed Population 332 Valier

School Population total of 778 students Elementary library serves K-5 students Junior High and High School serves 6-12

Meet Jill Dare-Librarian

Meet Jill’s right hand Linda Rone – Assistant Cataloger

Together they service two libraries within the Sesser-Valier School District Elementary Library Junior High and High School Library

Sesser-Valier’s two Libraries have books, videos, computer access, Internet and much more for students and teachers to access.

School population consists of 778 students According to Jill, 85-90 % of students and staff visit the library on a daily basis! They also have an Elementary Librarian-Teacher who teaches library classes through 5th grade, but none in the Junior High through High School. Research skills are taught in English class.

When asked, what is the cataloging process? Jill said, “We enter Marc records and provide our own cataloging.” She also stated that new books are entered into their system on a weekly basis or as they are purchased.

What vendor does the Sesser-Valier Library work with to purchase and process books, and how does that process work? Jill said, “We use a variety of vendors for book/material purchases but we do our own cataloging.”

Jill’s library chooses vendors mainly based on price and availability.

What is the OPAC that is used? Dynix How are records added to the OPAC? We have a password to the program so we can upload to our database. This is a simple process that can immediately add materials to a catalog. The most difficult part is being precise and finding the exact match to the book you have.

Jill claims the questions should you always ask the vendors: Price, availability, and guarantees on books for a period of time because you don’t want them to fall apart in one year.

Do you have any Cataloging advice/tips? Use the bibliographic information in the book and the Sears cataloging book.

I had to ask: Jill, do you enjoy your job? She said, “Yes!” What do you enjoy the most? She said, “Working with students and teachers helping them locate information in a wide variety of formats.”

Special thanks to: Sesser-Valier and their wonderful librarian Mrs. Jill Dare