Profile: Kathy S. Reed, Bibliographic Control Supervisor

Many changes have taken place at Ball State University since Kathy S. Reed began employment on campus in the late 1960s, her first regular job. After beginning in the Bursar’s Office, Kathy came to the University Library in 1971. At that time, the University Library was located in North Quad. Her job was as a Pre-Cataloging Clerk. She received the Library’s approval plan books and found cataloging copy for them.

A year later, Kathy recalls that the Library purchased its first microform reader/printer. This was a “big deal” because she no longer had to take a Polaroid picture from books called Mansell’s and the National Union Catalog. These large volumes were used to create catalog cards. The Polaroid photography was photocopied and applied to card stock to create the actual card which was placed in the Library’s card catalog. The catalog card print-outs created by the microform reader were put on card stock by personnel in Support Services. Students would then type the title, subject or name headings on the cards.

In 1975, the newly constructed Bracken Library opened and Kathy helped move material to the new building. During the following year, the library began using OCLC for searching and cataloging new materials. “And so began our computer age,” Kathy said.

The Pre-Cataloging Unit became part of Cataloging. Acquisitions took over receiving the approval plan books. In 1989, Kathy said the library administration began looking at the online catalogs, which replaced the traditional card catalog.

“As part of our preparation, the University Library undertook a large bar coding project. I was chosen to help organize it,” Kathy said. “We bar coded all the materials owned by University Libraries during the summer of 1991, and it was during that year I became Bibliographic Control Supervisor.”

Since then, the Cataloging unit has completed another migration to an upgraded system, created a database for thesis, creative projects and senior honors papers, created an e-journals database, began digitizing and enhancing architecture slide records for CONTENTdm, and streamlined and enhanced procedures for basic bibliographic maintenance.

“I look forward to fresh challenges and learning new programs and procedures,” Kathy said.

Kathy and her husband, Frank, have been married for 36 years. They are the proud parents of two children, Melissa Hullinger and Brian Reed. They have grandchildren, too, who bring them much joy and happiness. Their names are Anastacia, Alicia, Katie, and Zachary.

Kathy and Frank enjoy decorating their home for all of the traditional holidays and have even been featured in the local newspaper for their Christmas villages and outside decorations. In their spare time, the Reeds enjoy spending time with family, landscaping, and relaxing by their pool.

This newsletter article first appeared in The Library Insider 5(5): 9; May 2007.