In my organisation we pay only cursory attention to what AACR2 says, and I don’t think we follow any rules for adding subjects to records. It’s usually just very board, and then we use a specialist classification scheme for shelving (Moys).

 

People rarely search the catalogue by subject (though maybe that’s because the subject headings are not great!) – they tend to turn up i8n the library in person and want to be pointed at the relevant section of shelving!

 

Helen.

 

 

Hello again

 

Welcome to the third session of the ‘Getting started in cataloguing’ e-forum.

 

As well as continuing threads from yesterday’s sessions, we invite your questions and ideas in this session about training and recruitment for special skills in cataloguing, such as subject cataloguing, classification, non-book materials and rare books.  I give a lot of training myself for LCSH and non-book materials (RDA/MARC).  I have to admit that I have no expertise in other subject thesauri, classification, Dewey or rare books, but I know a little about how my colleagues handle training in these areas.  Esther and Helen will be joining in when they can, and we hope that the experts among you will be able to offer specialised advice.

 

We have come up with some starter questions, but please feel free to introduce other topics:

 

- Can you recommend any training material for LCSH and/or other subject thesauri or methods?

- Can you recommend any training material for LC Classification or other classification systems?

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

 

- 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?

 

- If subject cataloguing is not a specialist role in your organisation, how do cataloguers cope with the challenges of maintaining a good repertoire from LCSH and/or other fast-growing thesauri?

- If your organisation uses LCSH, are cataloguers expected to be very strict in applying all the scope notes and SHM instruction sheets?  If not, what are your priorities?

- What, if anything, is your organisation doing to implement the new LCGFT thesaurus? Is there any training material which you would recommend?

 

- Do you expect the LCSH system to be as dominant in 5 years’ time as it is now?

 

- What other subject cataloguing systems should aspiring cataloguers be aware of?  What are their advantages?

- Is non-book cataloguing a specialist role in your organisation?

- How much use is your organisation making of the new 34X fields and what kind of training has been provided? Are your cataloguers comfortable about using them?  Can you recommend any materials?

- Has your organisation implemented RDA for rare books? If so, did it involve much re-training? Can you recommend any materials?

 

- Given the frequent changes and growth in cataloguing standards in recent years, is the burden of knowledge and skills expected of cataloguing staff becoming unmanageable?  Any survival tips?

 

We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Best wishes,

Bernadette

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Bernadette O'Reilly
Catalogue Support Librarian

Bodleian Libraries,
Osney One Building
Osney Mead
Oxford OX2 0EW.

For cataloguing advice: [log in to unmask]
For course enquiries (cataloguing, holdings & items): [log in to unmask]
For other correspondence: [log in to unmask]

01865 2-77134

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