This week has consisted of setting up some groundwork for the project. More specifically, I’ve begun to compile some sources to investigate regarding cataloging and organizing schemes. After recently renewing my SLA membership, I added a caucus on architecture and design and after poking around their wiki, I discovered a topic on cataloging both print and non-print material. It’s not well fleshed out, but it has certainly given me some ideas. I’ve also started some basic internet research and plan to dig into the professional literature this weekend and over the next week.
Perhaps the most important step accomplished this week was getting permission to conduct a user survey. My site supervisors plan to distribute the survey to key members of the institution and require a response from them. My background in psychology and in research methodology will certainly help me in constructing a simple but effective survey that will gauge current library use and non-use, as well as seek input on ideal organization. Likewise, I want a good sense of what technologies are most useful in the firm right now, as to ensure that I don’t develop something that is either too easy (and not robust enough) or too technical (and therefore not conducive to future use) for users.
