Hi,

 

Because I'm a bit out of my depths on subject cataloguing, so I pick two of your questions, Bernadette:

 

- Is it practical and/or worthwhile for aspiring cataloguers to gain skills in cataloguing, classification or specialist areas before they apply for posts?

I think the same applies for this as for descriptive cataloguing: previously gained knowledge would obviously be welcome but learning a certain classification schema without applying it (and preferably on a continuing basis) won't be very effective. I'm not sure though if a similar account of time would be allocated to in-house training if an organisation uses vanilla-LCSH... probably not. Then it's up to the post holder to train themselves alongside a new job.
 
- Does your organisation expect everyone to deal with subject cataloguing and non-book cataloguing straight away, or do you give simpler work to newer cataloguers and introduce these skills gradually?

As far as I know, classifying is done here (University of Leicester Library) by fully trained cataloguers only. I'm happy to be corrected of course, if any of my colleagues are lurking ;-)