Elaine Higgins, Associate Professor
Senior Catalog Librarian and Coordinator of Cataloging
Office: MLIB 342 
Phone: (406) 243-4728
Fax: (406) 243-4067
E-Mail: elaine.higgins@umontana.edu
Biography
I have been a catalog librarian at The University of Montana since 1971. I catalog all the theses and dissertations written for advanced degrees at UM, as well as Reference works, Braille U.S. Federal documents, Montana State publications, books with accompanying materials in non-book format (CD-ROMs, sound CDs, computer disks, audiocassettes, and DVDs), maps, microfiche, works dealing with the EPA “Superfund” clean-up sites in Montana, as well as non-book media including realia and study prints, and other items requiring original cataloging, plus any foreign-language materials others cannot easily do (including East Asian languages). Much of this is what is known as “original cataloging.” (Please see “Analogy,” below.) I am also the language resource person in the Library, both doing foreign-language cataloging and answering language questions for others. Although cataloging is done behind the scenes, it is what makes it possible for researchers to find the materials they seek. In this sense, I also do public service.
Prior to becoming a professional cataloger, I lived in California, Iowa, and Utah. Having lived briefly in the Intermountain West following college graduation, I knew I wanted to return, so was pleased to accept a position here at UM.
My interest in languages has been with
me since childhood, when I first discovered that not everyone spoke
English. My undergraduate degree is in linguistics, and my interest
in languages continues. I have found it to fit well with being a librarian.
For language information and also for a list of the Mansfield Library’s
holdings by language, please see Language
Finger.
I also have an appreciation for the natural world, so appreciate living in Montana.
Since 1986, I have been the Faculty Adviser to UM’s Chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, an educational and research “living history” group seeking to re-create the Middle Ages; our local branch is known as the Barony of Sentinels’ Keep. As an active member of this group, I have served as both a local and a regional officer, and have pursued interests in spinning, weaving, dyeing, calligraphy, illumination, book-binding, cartography, costuming, playing Medieval games, singing, drama, recorder- and harp-playing, and other aspects of daily Medieval life. My persona in the SCA is that of a 14th-century Norsewoman named Iduna Snorradottir living in the western isles of Scotland.
Cataloging may be compared to the acquisition of clothing. By this analogy, “copy” cataloging (using a bibliographic record created by another library) equates to purchasing a ready-made garment off the rack and wearing it. “Changes” are then equivalent to purchasing the garment but needing to have some alterations made. “Close copy” means finding a garment that is close to what you want, but not exactly, so you purchase the materials (usually) and make it yourself, parallel to the one that is similar to what you actually want. Original cataloging comes in several “flavors,” ranging from purchasing the various materials -- fabric, thread, fasteners, trim, etc. and making the garment yourself, to having to raise the fibres (animal or vegetable), glean or shear the fibres from their source, spin the fibres into thread, weave the thread into fabric, and then make the garment! (You may also have to make the fasteners and trim.)
Research Interests
- Languages (all!) and Linguistics
Please see Language Finger. - Writing systems of the world, both past and present
- Library Technical Services activities, especially those at the professional level
Other Interests
- Medieval arts, including but not limited to textile arts, calligraphy and other manuscript arts, cartography, clothing, entertainments, and daily life
- Weaving: both loom- and card-
- Boardgames (worldwide)
- Creative writing, also documentary writing
- Collecting song-words
- Quilting
- International understanding
- The beauty of the natural world
This page last updated: July 30, 2004.