Library and Information Services
Scientific Subject Indexing and the Production of Research Data
Scientific subject indexing is one of the unique features of the Bibliotheca Hertziana, which works closely with its consortium partners gathered in the kubikat system. It essentially involves assigning thematic keyword chains, based on which shelfmark within the classification system are given. New GND authority files are regularly created, thus generating large quantities of high-quality research data. As a genuinely academic task, subject indexing is generally carried out by librarians who have a doctorate in art history and are also actively involved in scientific work. These highly qualified employees are granted 0.5 research days per week outside of their contract as well as the opportunity to participate in selected scientific events at the institute. This involvement of librarians in the current scientific life of the institute (embedded librarian) forms the basis of library work tailored to the needs of the scientific department.
Acquisition Cataloging
Acquisition cataloging refers to the simultaneous process of ordering and cataloging new media. The demanding task of ordering scientific literature in most of the languages currently represented in the field (Italian, German, English, French, and Spanish, as well as Dutch, Russian, and Japanese) and creating detailed catalog records is carried out by a dedicated, highly qualified team of accredited librarians. An increasing amount of online-supplied indexing elements are also linked with the bibliographic datasets. The extremely labor-intensive bibliographic cataloging of old prints, which requires high levels of expertise and experience, is particularly noteworthy. The resulting records are considered reference sources worldwide. The responsibility of formal indexing also includes maintenance and support work in the consortium catalog, as well as providing scientific services at the information desk, where detailed inquiries about cataloging and literature searches are answered in multiple languages by the reference librarian. These librarians serve as the face of the library to the outside world.
Collection and Maintenance of Publication and Research Data
Since July 2024, the library has been responsible for collecting publication data, code, and software via the MPG's research information system “PuRe.”
Local Editing for the BVB
As a member of the Kubikat and BVB library networks, the Bibliotheca Hertziana plays an important role in maintaining catalog data (local editing). This maintenance is the foundation for ensuring that the consortium’s OPAC remains the most reliable bibliographic data source in the field. The maintenance tasks include:
- Title redirects (merging duplicate entries)
- Reworking multi-volume entries
- Reworking insufficient/bad records of old prints (in every respect, including upgrading to the new American cataloging rules RDA)