133 catalog cards entered into database format.
14 from Drawer 2, finishing the drawer with 1208 entries.
119 from Drawer 3
Highlighted lines in Drawer 3 / Line 11 Name question / Line 55 has the Chopin, Manilow, Anderson puzzle.
Total now in database is 2417.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Elaine Patton, 07/26/12
Today I did just a couple of KHOU reels (edited to add links to uploaded videos):
Very straightforward with no difficulties except for trying to check/verify the few names given in the titles to try to establish their identities in the clips. Two stand-out scenes for me:
The other task for the day was something new: newly digitized footage from 1935 taken by Orris Brown. The original reels are now no more, having had only one play left in their lifespan which was used up to digitize them. It's very awesome. I viewed:
#4 concerned the Houston flood of 1935, which was nicely topical in light of the recent flooding in northwest Houston.
It was a little difficult to match titles to scenes, and the only way any of them made sense was if I rearranged the title order. The titles given didn't do many clips justice which deserve their own bookmark in the footage (by dint of being both interesting and unique to its immediate neighbors), in my opinion at least, so I threw in many more time cues (ditto that for #10). The second part of the first reel was dedicated to advertisements, introducing a sponsor and their location by title card, then following up with some footage from around the business. I loved the scenes of the customers being served at the markets as well as the gas station (15 cents/gallon!). Just so very slice-of-life.
Also, I didn't really think about it until now, but there's a very good reason, I suppose, why the "funeral church" only briefly showed exterior shots of the building along with the owner and nothing else.
#10 was, basically, scenes from a road trip to New Orleans, with most of the footage being from NOLA itself. The only real challenge here was incomplete titles throwing off my geographical identification. The first few headings, from when Brown was still en route, are: Lake Charles, New Iberia, and Sugar Cane Harvesting (probably in the New Iberia area). Unfortunately, there's a lingering shot of a church I figured out was in Lafayette, LA, which had no mention (it was also preceded by another building I wasn't able to identify at all, unfortunately). It's interesting how little has changed, at least in the French Quarter.
All in all, though, I think it went pretty smoothly once I got the hang of it. I approached the Brown reels by watching them all the way through to get a feel for them (since they aren't as consistently and obviously divided up the way the KHOU reels are), and I actually ended up working sort of backwards, simply because the later clips were more straightforward than the very first (depicting the floods, which I already noted didn't match up with the given headings very well).
Very straightforward with no difficulties except for trying to check/verify the few names given in the titles to try to establish their identities in the clips. Two stand-out scenes for me:
 |
| 06: Leftover painted Christmas trees in a surreal array of color |
| ||
#4 concerned the Houston flood of 1935, which was nicely topical in light of the recent flooding in northwest Houston.
 | |
| Downtown Houston flood damage... looks like WW2 photos after a bombing. |
 |
| Flashbacks to O Brother, Where Art Thou? for some reason. |
Also, I didn't really think about it until now, but there's a very good reason, I suppose, why the "funeral church" only briefly showed exterior shots of the building along with the owner and nothing else.
#10 was, basically, scenes from a road trip to New Orleans, with most of the footage being from NOLA itself. The only real challenge here was incomplete titles throwing off my geographical identification. The first few headings, from when Brown was still en route, are: Lake Charles, New Iberia, and Sugar Cane Harvesting (probably in the New Iberia area). Unfortunately, there's a lingering shot of a church I figured out was in Lafayette, LA, which had no mention (it was also preceded by another building I wasn't able to identify at all, unfortunately). It's interesting how little has changed, at least in the French Quarter.
All in all, though, I think it went pretty smoothly once I got the hang of it. I approached the Brown reels by watching them all the way through to get a feel for them (since they aren't as consistently and obviously divided up the way the KHOU reels are), and I actually ended up working sort of backwards, simply because the later clips were more straightforward than the very first (depicting the floods, which I already noted didn't match up with the given headings very well).
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Orris Brown Film Reels, Michelle Godfrey - July 25, 2012
Today I finished two new film reels containing Texas Centennial Highlights and other historical footage from around 1936.
Neither reel had sound so it was interesting to read the descriptive cards between the film clips to get an understanding of the contents. You could get a sense of how these would play to a large audience in a theater or auditorium compared to what you see in the KHOU film used for television. It's so great these films have been preserved.
Neither reel had sound so it was interesting to read the descriptive cards between the film clips to get an understanding of the contents. You could get a sense of how these would play to a large audience in a theater or auditorium compared to what you see in the KHOU film used for television. It's so great these films have been preserved.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sheet music collection / Mary Sommerfeld July 24, 2012
149 catalog cards entered into the database. Lines 1045 to 1194.
Four entries highlighted for examination.
Lines 1054 &1056 question about the name - Cartey or Cartney.
Lines 1096 & 1097 question about name - Cashman or Cashway
Line 1127 has an odd entry in Notes
One other note my ID badge would not open the door to Technical Services.
Four entries highlighted for examination.
Lines 1054 &1056 question about the name - Cartey or Cartney.
Lines 1096 & 1097 question about name - Cashman or Cashway
Line 1127 has an odd entry in Notes
One other note my ID badge would not open the door to Technical Services.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Mary Sommerfeld July 19, 2012 Sheet Music Collection
126 catalog cards were entered into the database (lines 918 to 1044).
An additional column was added, it is labeled "Content Note". This will document information such as the names of individual songs in a collection. Each song title is typed in and than followed by; space dash dash space (_--_) An example of this will be found on line # 934 in the second drawer database.
An additional column was added, it is labeled "Content Note". This will document information such as the names of individual songs in a collection. Each song title is typed in and than followed by; space dash dash space (_--_) An example of this will be found on line # 934 in the second drawer database.
Elaine Patton 7/19/2012
More KHOU reels! (Edited to add links to uploaded videos!) Specifically,
...which unfortunately were largely left over from last week when I ended up leaving early to beat the potential flooding near home.
One neat clip came from 6602-01, labeled "T-9 Films": I was trying to figure out what space mission was being depicted (none of them were named T-9 so far as I can tell, so I'm not sure where that title came from) when I found this video on YouTube to confirm the Gemini 9 mission. The footage in the KHOU reel is much prettier (higher resolution + color), but it was fun watching the two side-by-side for comparison purposes:
6901-03 brings us evidence that the toothbrush moustache was not completely outré in 1969:
A curiosity: I had a much greater mix of color to black-and-white footage this time, even within the same reels. I wonder if that was just how they were archived (or that's just what survived being archived or not) or if news programs back in the '60s actually broadcast a blend of production styles.
Difficulties this week: A lot of the clips did not have sound to give any context whatsoever, so I ended up with several summaries along the lines of "meeting in progress" or "firefighters at work." Not so great, but without any particularly unique clues, there's only so much to work with.
6701-23 was also a little mixed up, made more confusing by having one untitled clip right after a couple of other clips that didn't really have anything in common with the titles that they would correspond to. Sometimes when that happens it's simply a matter of the clips being out of order and it's possible to match things up properly, but in this case, it seems everything was in the right place...just not sensibly titled.
...which unfortunately were largely left over from last week when I ended up leaving early to beat the potential flooding near home.
One neat clip came from 6602-01, labeled "T-9 Films": I was trying to figure out what space mission was being depicted (none of them were named T-9 so far as I can tell, so I'm not sure where that title came from) when I found this video on YouTube to confirm the Gemini 9 mission. The footage in the KHOU reel is much prettier (higher resolution + color), but it was fun watching the two side-by-side for comparison purposes:
A curiosity: I had a much greater mix of color to black-and-white footage this time, even within the same reels. I wonder if that was just how they were archived (or that's just what survived being archived or not) or if news programs back in the '60s actually broadcast a blend of production styles.
Difficulties this week: A lot of the clips did not have sound to give any context whatsoever, so I ended up with several summaries along the lines of "meeting in progress" or "firefighters at work." Not so great, but without any particularly unique clues, there's only so much to work with.
6701-23 was also a little mixed up, made more confusing by having one untitled clip right after a couple of other clips that didn't really have anything in common with the titles that they would correspond to. Sometimes when that happens it's simply a matter of the clips being out of order and it's possible to match things up properly, but in this case, it seems everything was in the right place...just not sensibly titled.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
KHOU reels, Michelle Godfrey - July 18, 2012
Today I completed four more KHOU reels for boxes 6601.17, 6905.02, 6905.10, and 6905.11.
There was nice footage of the astronauts and the historic Apollo landing on the moon!
There was nice footage of the astronauts and the historic Apollo landing on the moon!
C. F. Richardson Project, Jennifer Nuzzo - July 18, 2012
I am continuing my update of the C.F. Richardson spreadsheet. I stopped at MSS1457YouthCouncilNAACPDedicationRichardsonPotrait.pdf.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Sheet Music / Mary Sommerfeld July 17, 2012
Entered the information from 142 catalog cards.
Lines added to the database number 775 to 917.
No lines highlighted.
Lines added to the database number 775 to 917.
No lines highlighted.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Mary Sommerfeld July 12, 2012 Sheet Music
Number of catalog cards entered 107, database lines from 667 to 774.
Two question about how database information should be entered:
1. When entering page numbers what determines the use of parentheses or brackets?
2. In the subject area should it be song or songs in the phrase "Song(s) with piano." Both options have been used in the catalog.
Two question about how database information should be entered:
1. When entering page numbers what determines the use of parentheses or brackets?
2. In the subject area should it be song or songs in the phrase "Song(s) with piano." Both options have been used in the catalog.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
KHOU reels, Michelle Godfrey - July 11, 2012
Today I worked on 4 more KHOU reels: 7002.29, 7003.04 and 16, and 7004.28. Some of the titles for the clips were missing or listed in the wrong order.
There was an interesting mix of content including fires, street flooding, a bank robbery, and interviews with politicians Geo. Bush and Lloyd Bentsen. For me, the most memorable clips would be what I found to be disturbing footage from a Klan rally and another showing tainted Halloween candy.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Sheet Music Project Mary Sommerfeld July 10, 2012
Entered the information from 137 catalog cards.
The lines added to the database number 529 to 666.
No entries were highlighted for examination.
The lines added to the database number 529 to 666.
No entries were highlighted for examination.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Standards for Volunteers
Standards for Volunteers in the Cataloging and Metadata Services Department of the Houston Public Library
- Attend an orientation and sign a job description/contract with Cataloging and Metadata Services.
- Volunteers may volunteer between the hours of 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Volunteers are asked to come no earlier than 10 a.m., as this is when the parking garage is opened to the public.
- Set and maintain a work schedule, with specific start and end times for each day scheduled day of volunteer work.
- Give at least 24 hours advance notice if you will not be able to work your scheduled day, except in the case of an emergency (job interview, car accident, illness, etc.), when more immediate notice will be understood.
- Volunteers cannot be more than 30 minutes late or have unscheduled absences more than 3 times. You must call or email with a legitimate reason if you are going to be late or absent. Failure to meet this criteria is grounds for immediate dismissal.
- Perform the duties set forth in the job description. Use provided metadata guidelines or procedures.
- Document your progress every day you come in to volunteer using the Cataloging and Metadata Volunteers blog on blogger. This requires a gmail account that should be shared with the Volunteer Coordinator.
- Arrange for your parking ticket to be validated. This requires a manager’s signature and a stop in the FIDS office. FIDS office hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Get your parking ticket validated as soon as you arrive.
- Clock your time in and time out through the online time sheet provided. Round to the nearest half-hour.
- Bring and wear your badge during the entire time you are volunteering, especially while you are in staff only areas.
- In the interest of maintaining a smoothly operating working environment, we ask that volunteers take no more than a 15 minute break per 4 hours of work.
- Drinks in closed containers (bottles, mugs) are allowed in the workstation. When working with archival materials, drinks are not permitted in the volunteer workstation. We ask that you eat any food in the break room and not at the workstation.
- May listen to your own music, using your own headphones and devices, as long as staff members can still get your attention when needed, and you would be able to hear any sirens or alarms that might go off.
- Volunteers must work a minimum 20 hours in the first 30-45 days of service. Failure to meet this requirement will result in immediate dismissal.
- No food or water is permitted in the Digitization Lab under any circumstances. We request that you eat any food or water in the break room and not at the workstation.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Time Sheet Reminder
For the volunteer Activities field, select the "other" button and fill in briefly what work you completed. "Metadata" or "Scanning" or "Cataloging." You don't have to be very specific unless you want to. The blog is designed for fuller descriptions.
For the Location Name field on the time sheet, select Digitization (third from the bottom). This is the name for our area (instead of the department's real name, Cataloging and Metadata Services.) And don't forget to hit Submit! The Time Sheet is available here.
Thanks again for all your work! We really appreciate the help you've given us.
Cecilia
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Mary Sommerfeld July 5, 2012
Working from Drawer 2 of the Sheet music catalog I added 120 entries to the database.
The range goes from 408 to 528.
There are three entries highlighted for further consideration.
These 3 are line numbers 412, 474 and 507.
The range goes from 408 to 528.
There are three entries highlighted for further consideration.
These 3 are line numbers 412, 474 and 507.
Elaine Patton 07/05/2012
Today I worked on creating descriptions of news clips from digitized KHOU news reels, completing:
I also encountered footage of the jogging race between Judge Hofheinz and Mayor Welch at the Astrodome (6902-12, "Jog-In"), which I had previously seen in photographs elsewhere online while verifying their identities in clips I worked on previously. The last several seconds of this clip include a bunch of young people running across the field laughing, which gave a neat little overview of late '60s fashion. I also spotted an amazing bouffant in another clip, as well...how hairstyles change! Heard some incredible Southern accents once again, too, the likes of which generally just don't exist these days.
- box 6701, reels 8, 21, 22
- box 6902, reels 2, 12, 15
I also encountered footage of the jogging race between Judge Hofheinz and Mayor Welch at the Astrodome (6902-12, "Jog-In"), which I had previously seen in photographs elsewhere online while verifying their identities in clips I worked on previously. The last several seconds of this clip include a bunch of young people running across the field laughing, which gave a neat little overview of late '60s fashion. I also spotted an amazing bouffant in another clip, as well...how hairstyles change! Heard some incredible Southern accents once again, too, the likes of which generally just don't exist these days.
Jennifer Nuzzo July 5, 2012
I worked on the CF Richardson spreadsheet. The last file name I checked was MSS1457-048.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Progress on Sheet music drawer 2 July 3, 2012
I was able to add 108 more entries to the database.
There are 3 entries that have been highlight to reflect questions about contents.
They are #336, #393 and #401.
The areas in question are in red type.
Recorded by M.S. Sommerfeld.
There are 3 entries that have been highlight to reflect questions about contents.
They are #336, #393 and #401.
The areas in question are in red type.
Recorded by M.S. Sommerfeld.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Cecilia Williams - Monday, May 2, 2012
Example of a quick blog post about volunteer activities for the day:
I entered in cards #132 to #367 into the spreadsheet for the Sheet Music Collection.
Example of a problem to mention:
I wasn't sure how to fill in the Photographer field for the photograph titled "Aerial View of Houston." Did you want the name entered as "Phillip Morris," or "Morris, Phillip"?
OR
Had trouble using the Time Sheet. What department do I report to?
I entered in cards #132 to #367 into the spreadsheet for the Sheet Music Collection.
Example of a problem to mention:
I wasn't sure how to fill in the Photographer field for the photograph titled "Aerial View of Houston." Did you want the name entered as "Phillip Morris," or "Morris, Phillip"?
OR
Had trouble using the Time Sheet. What department do I report to?
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