SouthWest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries

(1:30-4:00 pm)

Present:

Susan Banoun (Campbell County Public Library), Leslie Hoekzema (Kenton County Public Library), Phyllis McElravy (Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County), Jean Small (Oldham County Public Library), Aaron Smith (Clermont County Public Library), Jane Smith (Boone County Public Library)

We began with a round of introductions.

Copy cataloging vis-à-vis original cataloging

Our first discussion centered around a request for help from one of the panel in determining a description of duties in differentiating “copy cataloging” and “original cataloging”, discovering that each of our libraries has a different way of separating those duties, from subject or format specialties to sources of cataloging copy to educational qualification/experiential measures.

Outsourcing

We found that some of those present were dealing with outsourced cataloging in one way or another, especially in the management of new branch openings and the consequent need for a large quantity of material availability in a short time. Benefits and detriments of such arrangements were discussed, and comparisons of notational systems (Cutter tables, etc.) ensued.

Sources of cataloging copy

We discussed the various advantages and disadvantages of OCLC membership and the use of other resources (vendors, BookWhere, Z39.50 access in general) to get copy. We found that some of us did a great deal of original work, keying entire records because of limited or restricted availability of copy.

MARC standards: adherence vs. flexibility

Every library tailors their database to their own patron need, as well as to staff, system and administrative demands. As a result, we find that more and more liberal approaches are being taken to the indication of medium designators, for example. Control fields (006 and 007 especially) are often neglected in input, mostly because the impact of this coding is not evident.

FRBR

We talked about the structure of the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records, and the implication of that program for integration of information with respect to existing MARC.

Cataloging standards, in general

The issue of subject headings for fiction came up, and discussion ensued concerning the wisdom and efficacy of specific headings with geographical subdivisions as applied to fiction. Some on the panel were unfamiliar with NoveList (a database available via both KYVL and OPLIN), a resource for fiction readers derived from these complex headings. Similarly, the question of access to series information arose, and we talked about the use of non-standard cataloging practice to provide access to unverified series information. Two websites were offered as sources for unverified series information:

for adult fiction series: http://www.kdl.org/libcat/whatsnext.asp

and for juvenile fiction series: http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/readers/series/juv/

with the caveat that these are not cataloging tools, but readers’ advisory tools independent of the cataloged MARC.

Dewey Decimal Classification, 22nd ed.

We discussed upcoming workshops presented at Fairfield Lane Library and at GCLC by Donna Schroeder of OhioNet, and briefly looked at resources for determining analysis of the changed portions of DDC.

Next meeting: Thursday, January 29, 2004 (1:30-4:00 pm), at the GCLC offices.

Among our topics will be the adaptations we have had to make with the concept of Integrating Resources.