New Cataloger in the House!

Zach Fischer, our new Cataloging and Metadata Librarian!

Bunch Library made a lot of changes this summer, including welcoming Zach Fischer, our new Cataloging and Metadata Librarian.  Lina Terjesen, Music Librarian, took a few minutes to sit down and find out more about him.

Where are you from?

I’m from Colorado.  I went to the University of Kansas for my BA in Classical Antiquity then the University of Colorado Boulder for my MA in Classics.  I just relocated to Nashville from Austin, TX where I went to the “other UT” for my MSIS (Master of Science in Information Studies).  While in school at UT Austin, I worked in the library as one of the many catalogers and librarians cataloging ETDs (electronic theses and dissertations) and curating other projects in the digital repository, and books, of course.

What is cataloging, and why is it important?

Cataloging is describing, organizing, and maintaining information.  It’s important because if a resource is not cataloged properly, students won’t be able to find it.  If it is cataloged properly, they can find it quickly.

Do you have any projects coming up that you’re excited about?

I’m excited about forming a digital repository, which will be a dedicated electronic storage for the long-term preservation of materials.  I’m also excited about converting our cataloging polices to RDA (Resource Description and Access), a new set of guidelines for describing information and integrating information resources.

What excites you about Belmont?

I’m excited by the prospect of forming a digital repository, working with a small, user-oriented staff, and living in another music city.

What is your favorite thing about Nashville?

It’s green!  At UT Austin there are not too many trees; in Colorado, there are trees, but they are different and sparse and on fire every summer.  Here, they’re green and perky!

Do you have a least favorite thing about Nashville?

Flooding!  I’m not used to water having grown up in Kansas and Colorado.  Here, there’s water everywhere!

Do you have any interests or hobbies?

I LOVE British TV – Sherlock, Wallander, Torchwood, Pramface – and I LOVE Classics (Latin, Greek, archaeology).  I have been on two archaeological excavations: a Medieval church near Ravenna, Italy and a Bronze Age site in Mitrou, Greece (on a trip through UT Knoxville).

Any fun facts about you?

I like cataloging! That’s the oddest thing about me.

That’s a little librarian humor, but we’re super-excited and glad Zach is here.  He hit the ground running and has already made sure the resources we have in Bunch Library are cataloged and classified correctly and easily found in our system and on the shelves.  If you see Zach outside of his office be sure to say hi and welcome him to Belmont!