Some of our most interesting discussions have arisen during the NATLAC process here at the library when we try and decide the right term to use. On the surface, we all imagined that translating the Dewey numbers into a natural language term or phrase would be a snap. Were we ever wrong!
There are generally 3 to 4 of us on this project and there are times each of us perceives a different meaning in a single term. Coming to consensus, let alone consensus with the broad array of library users in mind, is definitely a process often fraught with disagreement and high emotion. Just at today's meeting, our still simmering disagreements about seafood and whether that includes fresh-water food fish, over baking and cooking being separate actions rather than baking being a subset of cooking was brought up fresh with passions still as high as ever.
Luckily we respect each other enough and have strong senses of humor as well, that continue to smooth over these disagreements and viewpoints, allow us to make a decision in the best interests of our users, and move on to the next subject to NATLAC. I am unfailing in my admiration for, and respect of the people who have participated in this process and their willingness to set aside personal opinion for the larger perspective of the topic.
That being said, at the moment we are a bit stuck on a good term for the 'characters' both divine and human in the Bible. Let me know if you have any suggestions to throw into the fray. abaker@kelleylibrary.org
No comments:
Post a Comment