Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 5, 1 May 1990 — A new resource ready for Hawaiians [ARTICLE]

A new resource ready for Hawaiians

By Deborah Lee Ward

The resurgence of interest in Hawaiian history, life and culture, and particularly historical land-use patterns has put greater emphasis on discovering, documenting, and teaching about Hawaii's past. This effort is especially important to Native Hawaiians as the remnants of Hawaii's ancient past continue to be disturbed and destroyed by the march of progress. One rich resource is the Hawaiian Archaeological Teaching Collection at the University of Hawai'i Manoa campus. This collection is a computer data base that lists over 1,000 archaeological reports done on Hawaiian archaeological sites. The collection is a joint project of the UH Graduate School of Library Sciences at Hamikon Library and the Alu Like Native Hawaiian Library project. The eolleehon will provide the Hawaiian eommunity, the general public, students of archaeology, archaeologists and planners the ehanee to gain a better understanding of, and respect for, Hawaiian collections and archaeological remains. The latest addition to the teaching collection is the computerized catalog on land-related matters in Hawai'i. The Hawaiian Archaeology Teaching Collection (HATC) consists of more than 1,000 archaeo-

logical reconnaissance surveys and reports in the Hamilton Library Hawaiian and special collections. The Hawaiian eolleehon is the world's foremost assemblage of printed and other Hawaiiana, but by 1980 it contained only a few archaeological reports. The HATC was formed by establishing a network of cooperative resource-sharing among private and public research collections combined with gift copiesfrom private archaeology firms and individual archaeologists. Financial support eame through two grants for student help totaling $4,880 from the University of Hawai'i president's educational improvement fund. They were awarded between 1982 and 1984 to Dr. Matthew Spriggs of the UH Dept. of Anthropology, and Dr. Michaelyn P. Chou, head of public services of special collections at Hamilton Library. In 1988 Dr. Chou successfully applied for funds from Alu Like, ine. to complete the HATC cataloging and provide one year of professional experienee and training for a qualified Native Hawaiian librarian. Alu Like provided funding that was matched by the UH Library for the cataloging and training project. Dodie Lau takes on the job Leeia "Dodie" Lau was selected to catalogue the archaeological teaching-collection computer

data base. She is a 1987 graduate of the School of Library and Information Studies and a recent Alu Like Native Hawaiian Library Project fellowship recipient. Lau was trained in catalog rules, cataloging records, the library's online computerized catalog, and the UH cataloging system, ALOHA. Lau began her work in Nov. 1988. She exceeded the project goal to catalog 900 documents by doing more than 1,000. She was also trained in basic Hawaiian reference and public service at the special collections reference desk. Further, she became familiar with the Pacific collection and other reference collections in the UH library. She was trained on various computerized data bases as well. She will eonhnue half-fime doing bibliographical work on the library's Pacific eolleehon. Lau also volunteers two nights a week at the Hamilton reference desk. Two-voIume catalogue ready from loose Ieaf beginnings A two-volume printed catalog was prepared during the project. The first volume is a main entry catalog listing 1,004 reports by author's name anel title. The second volume is a geographical catalog listing reports by island and region. All reports in the computer data base ean be researched using the library's computer stations or by modem from other locations. continued on page 15

Research

from page 1 Most reports eame into the library eolleehon as looseleaf manuscripts and were not available for general distribution. Others were reports done for state DLNR historic sites division. Other documents were letter-reports by archaeologists, usually covering surveys on private property. These often involved surveying and maps whieh will be a good resource on the history of selected areas. Most reports had never before been used in a data base. Lau assigned archaeological categories, some with additional subject headings. For example a report on burial platforms in a certain area would have two catalog listings, under "burials" and under the region. A land report that also contained a big section on fish hooks would be cross-indexed under fish hooks. Lau said the system was created to provide access by author and by location and yet be specific to both. The index also shows if there were maps, mentions if there are special notes (e.g. who the report was prepared for) provides names of co-authors, specifies how many subject headings, and gives corporate commissions.

Browsing through the system Going into the system one ean search by author, by subject word, title or site loeahon. Computer records will show if there is a bibliography in the report. The searcher ean browse alphabetically by author or subject or do a "keyword" search . A eall number may also be used. It is also possible to eall up a detailed display of individual reports and see who they were done for and when. So a searcher could look under the general

heading of Archaeology, Moloka'i, and the eomputer will show all headings and a summary list of reports. Or, if the searcher is interested in fish hooks, the system ean list all the reports whieh contain information on fish hooks. Lau has listed major subjects covered in eaeh report to expand the cross-indexing potential. This allows access to reports and topics that otherwise might not be indicated by the title. Eaeh record shows where reports ean be found on the UH campus and if a videotape accompanies it.

Help learning to use the system At the public service desk, UH library staff will help any person who wants to leam how to use this reference system. Terminals are found in all public and reference areas. Project director Dr. Michaelyn P. Chou has called it a very fast, powerful system that is designed to help the researcher find something even if they don't know exactly what to look for. The Hawaiian Archaeological Teaching Collection data base is accessible through University of Hawai'i campus libraries in Hilo and on Maui and Kaua'i. Eventually, project coordinators hope to have a modem hookup for greater public access. The HAT C data base also includes some titles in the community college libraries as they are part of the state system. Now that the catalog system is in plaee, are there plans to keep adding in the 100 to 500 new reports that are filled eaeh year with DLNR? Projec.t, ;directog, Chou hopes the networking betweeff'DLNFfc: UH. Bishop Museum ean eontinue for repomsnaring. If reports ean be sent to UH as they eome in, the UH Hamilton library catalog department ean code them in. Monetary gifts or donations to pay for cost of copying reports may be made by contacting Dr. Michaelyn P. Chou at the University of Hawai'i Hamilton Library.