Cataloging Services
Local Practices
The cataloging team is responsible for entering a description of all collected materials into the Delaware Library Catalog , the new statewide online public access catalog. This description is the "bibliographic record." It contains such information as the author, title, publisher, publication date, and subject headings. Most bibliographic records are acquired through OCLC, a not for profit computer service and research organization whose systems help libraries locate, acquire, catalog, and lend library materials. Another source for bibliographic information is the Library of Congress.
Fiction books are classified by the author's last name, while fiction videos are classified by title. Nonfiction materials are classified according to the Dewey Decimal Classification system, followed by a second line of numbers which is called a cutter. A local practice that the Sussex County libraries incorporated is to add the year of publication to the call number. This is a Library of Congress practice that facilitates collection management. Subject headings also are from the Library of Congress. If the item is shelved in a special location, the call number is preceded by a collection code, such as LP for Large Print, REF for Reference, or DEL for the Delaware Collection.
Authority Control
With the increase of automation in cataloguing and the proliferation of online catalogues, comprehensive authority control has become a realistic option. Whereas, in the manual environment, authority control was daunting and often impossible, computer processing has opened up the way for more control over the processes that assist catalogue users to carry out efficient and productive searching. Machine-assisted authority control will enhance all aspects of this process, and allow librarians to put into practice various key ideas that have been formulated in the last few decades. Keyword searching and right-hand truncation, while making some references unnecessary, are by no means a satisfactory substitute for see or see also references. (Talmacs, Kerrie. Authority Control. In Technical Services Today and Tomorrow. By Michael Gorman. 2nd ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, Inc. 1998)
This is a seven page .pdf file entitled "Authority Control in the Context of Bibliographic Control in the Electronic Environment" by Michael Gorman of California State University, Fresno.
Database Maintenance
Database Maintenance consists of correcting errors that are noticed in the catalog, updating records to reflect withdrawals, changing collection codes to show changes in shelf location, adding additional copies, inputting changes to serials titles or frequency, merging duplicate bibliographic records, and in general, keeping the database clean, accurate, and orderly. Efficient management of the library catalog reflects the professional standards of the library staff.
The Cataloger's Reference Shelf
http://www.itsmarc.com/crs/CRS0000.htm
