Making Workflows Work for you: Adlib CMS at the Institute of Ismaili Studies By Naureen Ali Cataloguer and Adlib Officer, Ismaili Special Collections Unit The Institute of Ismaili Studies
The Institute of Ismaili Studies (Located at the Aga Khan Centre in Kings Cross) The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) was established in 1977 with the object of promoting scholarship and learning of Muslim cultures and societies, historical as well as contemporary, and a better understanding of their relationship with other societies and faiths. Images by The Aga Khan Development Network
Overview of the Special Collections at the Institute The Institute holds one of the most significant repositories in the world of materials related to Ismaili communities, comprising nearly 3,000 manuscripts in Arabic, Persian and Indic languages. Several hundred volumes of rare books, periodicals and journals, off-prints, as well as a number of important coins from the Fatimid and Alamut periods of Ismaili history along with archival material.
Cataloguing Needs Comprehensive cataloguing points Connect relevant paperwork (such as condition reports) Accommodate different languages (Persian, Arabic, Indic along with others) and scripts. Diacritics Different types of material (Artefacts, books, manuscripts, archives, serials) Published online Accommodate workflow Restricted cataloguing in certain linked fields
Adlib Cataloguing Workflow Cataloguer creates a record (Level Different levels of cataloguers may C) enter different types of information (Corresponding access levels). Senior Some cataloguers are temporary and Cataloguer some are permanent (implications on review (Level B) data entry). Senior Back to Send for final cataloguer may cataloguer for approval want to re-check review details (hold) Entry completed and approved (Level A)
Subsequent Alterations to the application Specific fields for temporary and permanent cataloguers. For workflow: an enumerative field was added in the tab, ‘Management Details’ to highlight the level of work. These levels refer to access levels These levels of work were searchable so that the relevant entries could be easily retrieved. Pointer files and scheduled searches added to track progress through email.
Adlib Cataloguing Workflow and Subsequent Field Cataloguer creates a record (Level C) Senior Cataloguer review (Level B) Senior Back to Send for final cataloguer may cataloguer for approval want to re-check review details (hold) Entry completed and approved (Level A)
Lessons Learnt On a particular level, all cataloguers can see entries created by each other. Different types of cataloguers may need particular levels. Pointer files/scheduled searches took some time to work. Access specific linked fields.
Adlib Archives – Help for New Cataloguers Features such as Hierarchy Browser help new users understand archival description The above image is from Adlib Archive Task Manual (p. 77)
Adlib Archives – Help for New Cataloguers
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