Biographical
Name?
Netanel
Ganin
Current Job?
I work at
Brandeis University as a cataloger (Hebrew specialty).
How long have you been in the field?
I got my first library job as a student employee
in 2005, and my first professional job in 2009. I graduated Simmons College
with my MLS in 2015.How long have you been in the field?
How Do You Work?
What is your office/workspace like?
We have an
open office which has its pros and cons. If you need to check-in about something
real quick, it’s easy. The downside is that you hear everything that happens
which can be awkward.
How do you organize your days?
How do you organize your days?
I’m a
proponent of task lists. I have weekly tasks, monthly tasks, and daily tasks,
and three separate lists to keep track of them.
What do you spend most of your time doing?
What do you spend most of your time doing?
Well, on
paper I split my time 70/30 between cataloging non-Hebrew language material,
and Hebrew-language material. Certainly cataloging the Hebrew resources takes
longer (less copy exists, the transliteration takes more time). Beyond the
actual cataloging, I’ve recently been creating NACO/SACO (Hebrew/Judaica funnel) records, and
taking on new projects as they come up. Some of those include: working with Zepheira/Atlas
on a linked data pilot for my library’s special collections, and updating
headings/names in our local catalog (5958 so far).
What is a typical day like for
you?
- Catalog a bunch of Hebrew books (we get bi-weekly shipments and I whittle ‘em down);
- Catalog a bunch of English books (these roll in endlessly, and we prioritize reserves and patron-holds);
- Attend a meeting;
- Work a bit on any in-progress special projects going.
What are you reading right now?
I’m
currently listening to Blind Assassin
by Margaret Atwood. I recently finished listening to A Darker Shade of Magic by
V.E. Schwab and All the Birds in
the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders. I’m a big audiobook fan; I
listen on the train, while doing chores, and on walks.
What's the best professional advice you've ever received?
What's the best professional advice you've ever received?
Ask
questions, look things up, ask more questions. It’s not a specific piece of
advice, but it’s guided me well.
What have you found yourself doing at work that you never expected?
So far...no negative surprises. I’m enjoying
being a Serious-Beans cataloger and that, in-of-itself, is a pleasant surprise.What have you found yourself doing at work that you never expected?
Inside the Library Studio
What is your favorite word?
Catacombs? I
don’t know. I just picked one that I like the sound of. I like words a lot.
What is your least favorite word?
What is your least favorite word?
Indescribable.
Because you just did.
What profession other than your own would you love to attempt?
I used to be
play in bands (here is some evidence of that):What profession other than your own would you love to attempt?
If I had the time to play in bands and accomplish all I want to professionally, then I would!
What profession would you never want to attempt?
I would never want to try anything with like,
life and death on the line. Bad metadata can be cleaned up but doctor-biz?
That’s too intense for me.
Everything Else
What are you most proud of in your career?
It isn’t something I’d ever recommend anyone else do (many
mistakes were made along the way in both execution and planning) -- but the
fact that I actually got that project of mine, Emflix
up and running from scratch is my proudest career-accomplishment to date.
If you're willing to share, tell about a mistake you made on
the job.
I was participating in a big library shifting project, and I
accidentally shifted about 5 shelves worth or so backwards.
When you aren't at work, what are you likely doing?
I’m an avid media consumer and am always down to talk about
the latest episode of m’shows. I enjoy latchhooking, playing bass, and working
on professional development (i.e. blogging and reading, and practicing).
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Jessica Schomberg! (@schomj)
Netanel tweets at @OpOnions and blogs at I Never Metadata I Didn't Like.
Netanel tweets at @OpOnions and blogs at I Never Metadata I Didn't Like.
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