My career began in 1969 in the Physical Sciences Library at Cornell University. Next I worked a few years at the Cabot Undergraduate Science library at Harvard University. For the past 21 years, I have been the Math-Physics librarian at Duke University. Since this library's collection consists primarily of materials in math and physics, and to a lesser extent astronomy and statistics, I have found membership in PAM essential to my work. No other Division, Chapter, or other professional organization has been as helpful as PAM. I sincerely value the friends and contacts I have made during these years.
I became liaison to the Cataloging Committee sort of by default. At that time (and perhaps still), PAM membership did not include many catalogers. Although I have never been a cataloger, I have certainly been interested in the rules that govern our professional lives and in the development of the classification systems for astronomy, math and physics (particularly in Dewey since Duke is a Dewey library). Since Dorothy McGarry has been very involved in this committee, I asked her for her advice of what a true liaison should be. She suggests that a liaison should, if possible, attend the business meeting(s) of the committee, and, if possible, the meetings which any of the divisions sponsor on cataloging issues. The liaison's role is to inform the chapter or division of the activities of the Committee and inform the Committee of concerns or suggestions from the chapter or division. The liaison should also put on the committee's listserv information about other meetings on cataloging which he/she has attended. Dorothy reminded me that the Committee is currently suggesting some revisions to its charge such as considering various metadata systems. She also noted that the 1998 business meeting will be devoted to international activities and standards, reports on other associations' cataloging activities, and planning for the future.
I have found it difficult even to attend the committee's business meetings, since they are sometimes in direct conflict with PAM meetings and workshops. Not being a cataloger has meant that I have not always understood all the issues up for discussion. I recommend that any future liaison be a cataloger or have been a cataloger during his/her career. Although I have profited from being your liaison, I would like to relinquish this position. Anyone interested in it should contact Brenda Corbin.
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