Dun's Library Cataloguing Project Update
It’s been nearly three years since we've shared a library cataloguing update on the blog, but that doesn't mean that we haven’t been hard at work, and there had been lots of progress.
In 2014 we undertook the first strategic review of the library since the 1970s; this review identified the strengths of the collections, set out cataloguing priorities and made recommendations for the future of Dun’s Library.
Understanding the Collection
The review was especially helpful in identifying what exactly was in Dun’s Library, and split the collection into four main areas;
Core Collection: The Golden Age of Irish Medicine - Books, pamphlets and journals collected by RCPI from the foundation of Dun’s Library to 1900. The collection is especially strong in the period c.1780-1900. The collection not only contains medical works but also works reflecting the wider scientific, cultural, literary and artistic interest of RCPI’s Members and Fellows of the time.
Secondary Collection: Irish Medicine, 1900-1950 - Books, pamphlets and journals covering the period 1900 to 1950 published in Ireland, by Irish medics or with substantial Irish medical interest.
Secondary Collection: History of Irish Medicine - A reference collection of books and pamphlets on the history of medicine in Ireland, or with substantial Irish interest. This collection includes biographies and autobiographies of Irish medical practitioners, as well as histories of Irish hospitals and other medical organisations.
Special Collections - The personal libraries of a number of important Irish medical practitioners and organisations, these cover a range of medical specialties and also the history of medicine. Prior to the Strategic Review there were five special collections identified in Dun’s Library, after the review we had identified 20 special collections (more details to follow in another post).
As well as identifying the strengths of the collections, the review also set limitations on the library collections which will allow us to focus our energies on the areas where the collections are strongest, and ensure that we continue to develop these areas.
Cataloguing the Library
Having worked out what the strengths of Dun’s Library are, the review also made recommendations on how to tackle the backlog of catalogue. (A cataloguing backlog which sometimes gives me nightmares!)
The first step was to ensure that all material stored on-site was fully catalogued, had a shelf mark (so it could be located) and was in the place it should be. As there are over 10,000 items on site this was no small task, but with the assistance of a succession of fantastic Library Interns this mammoth task has now been completed. We now know exactly what we have and where it is, and the updated catalogue records should make it much easier for researchers to find items as we have included subject terms, details of any unique features (annotations, newspapers cuttings or letters inserted) and names of former owners of the books.
Next Steps
There are now just over 13,000 records in our online catalogue and, our best guestimate suggests that this is about half the contents of the library. The progress made in the last four years has been phenomenal, and while it is great to be half way through, there is still the other half of the library to catalogue!
The next step is to sort and catalogue the rest of the books in the library, mainly those published since 1850. Many of these have never been included in our online catalogue, and by adding the records to the catalogue we hope to open them up to new researchers. Once the books have been catalogued, we will then move on to the pamphlet and journal collections.
Lots done, more still to do!