Editor’s note: This is a weekly column that provides readers with insight into the happenings of the four county libraries.
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at the library? The public doesn’t often get to see what goes on in the library workrooms, but let’s take a look at how items become library materials thanks to Botetourt County Library’s Cataloger, Heather McIntosh.
The first step to preparing items for circulation, and Heather’s newest responsibility, is collection development. Heather gets to decide which items to purchase and add to the Blue Ridge branch’s collection. There are several factors she has to consider when deciding what to purchase. What are the needs and wants of our patrons? Which books and movies are trending? Do we need more than one copy of a certain item? Does it fit in our budget?
When new items arrive at the library, Heather adds them to the catalog. This makes it possible to search for library materials by title, author, subject, keyword, and more. In the three years Heather has worked for the Botetourt County Libraries, she has made changes to the way that items are cataloged based on patrons’ needs and preferences.
“I like being able to help people find materials that they want or need,” Heather says. One of the biggest changes she’s made is adding series names and volume numbers to records so it’s easier to find the particular item you’re looking for. Want the fourth book in the Harry Potter series, but don’t know the title? That’s ok! It will say “NO. 4” right on the spine label.
Another aspect of Heather’s job is collection analysis. She uses the library’s computer system to generate reports that show which items are popular, and which ones are no longer flying off the shelves. This helps Heather decide what to purchase and also what to remove from the collection. Heather believes “it’s important to keep collections fresh.” Library materials should be up-to-date, relevant, and in good condition.
When Heather graduated college, she wasn’t exactly sure what kind of career she was looking for. She knew that she liked organizing things, and she liked books, so why not organize books? Heather started working in libraries in 2006. She earned her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University. Heather interned with the Georgia Public Library Service for two and a half years before becoming a library assistant. She then got a job as a cataloger in Suffolk, Va., where she worked for five and a half years before coming to work for Botetourt County in 2016.
Heather is originally from Orlando, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in foreign languages from the University of Central Florida. Before working in libraries, she worked for United Way and Habitat for Humanity. Heather currently lives in Bonsack with her fiancé, Phil, and their two dogs. They enjoy playing board games and attend a game night once a month. Heather also enjoys reading and dyeing her hair whimsical colors. Heather’s favorite types of books are non-fiction and young adult. If you haven’t met Heather, stop by the Blue Ridge Library and say hello!
-Audrey Clark
