Metadata Services Alma Implementation Training Strategy at the University of Texas at Dallas Library

Abstract

The University of Texas at Dallas Eugene McDermott Library is migrating to the Alma system. Catalogers from the Metadata Services Unit needed to be trained with the new system’s features, capabilities and workflows. A series of in-house training sessions were designed to help catalogers learn how to use the system, to catalog physical items, to batch processing electronic resources, withdraw items and transfer items from one location to another, etc. The presentation will focus on the following methods and activities that were used to achieve the best learning outcomes:
1. A training proposal was created to provide guidelines and strategies to the training sessions in order to make the training more structured and well planned.
2. A comparison between the old system Voyager and the new system Alma was used to clarify differences between the two systems throughout the training.
3. Real cataloging examples were used to show how to handle and manage records in Alma.
4. Practical exercises were designed to allow catalogers to gain hands-on experience.
5. Opposite examples were demonstrated to illustrate correct methods.
6. Create a warm “learning environment” and motivate catalogers to participate in discussions and improve their problem-solving skills.
7. Gather feedback for new cataloging workflows and establish best practices to accommodate the new changes.