A Library Manager's Guide to the Physical Processing of Nonprint Materials

A unique contribution to library management, this book provides practical advice on making wise decisions about the physical processing of nonprint materials, such as videotapes, computer disks, three-dimensional artifacts, and graphic materials. By drawing on the expertise of librarians around the country, the authors have created an analytical and practical guide for making processing decisions and for carrying out the physical processing of nonprint items. Diverse formats of nonprint materials are common in libraries today, but they present library managers and catalogers with many questions and dilemmas as how best to integrate them into the overall library collection. This professional reference provides practical advice on making wise decisions about the physical processing of nonprint materials such as videotapes, computer disks, three-dimensional artifacts, and graphic materials. The volume sets forth a methodology for informed decision making, presents general options for physical processing that can be applied to any type of nonprint material, and offers practical examples of how to process individual media formats. While the book is broad enough to give general guidance that can be applied to any library and circumstance, it also details particular processing practices for the readers convenience.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction A Guide to Making Informed Processing Decisions The Foundation for Decision Making Options for Physical Processing A Guide to Physical Processing Practices Cartographic Materials Sound Recordings Motion Pictures and Videorecordings Graphic Materials Computer Files Three-Dimensional Artifacts and Realia Kits and Interactive Multimedia Appendix Selected Bibliography Index

About the Author :
KAREN C. DRIESSEN is a Professor, Media Librarian, and Acting Director of the Mansfield Library Instructional Media Services at the University of Montana. She has taught courses in Technical Processing and Audiovisual Communication, has conducted workshops in media cataloging and processing, has authored media reviews, and is immediate Past President of Online Audiovisual Catalogers, Inc. SHEILA A. SMYTH is a Professor, Associate Director, and Director of Technical Services at the Lorette Wilmot Library at Nazareth College of Rochester. She is Chair of the Association of Library Collections and Technical Services Audiovisual Committee, and a former President of Online Audiovisual Catalogers, Inc. She has also written various book reviews and articles, and has made several presentations on media cataloging and local systems.

Review :
?In the world of physical processing, there is always an element of surprise, both good and bad. This book was a very pleasant surprise. The easy writing style of the authors convey their expert knowledge very well. They present information that I have not seen gathered together anywhere else, filling a void in this public library cataloger's knowledge.?-RQ ?This book will be of intrest to the library manager, the technical services librarian, the cataloguing librarian, the paraprofessional, and the person responsible for making decisions about phsical processing of non-print library material. The US bias does not detract from the contents. A useful handbook on end-processing.?-ALR "This book will be of intrest to the library manager, the technical services librarian, the cataloguing librarian, the paraprofessional, and the person responsible for making decisions about phsical processing of non-print library material. The US bias does not detract from the contents. A useful handbook on end-processing."-ALR "In the world of physical processing, there is always an element of surprise, both good and bad. This book was a very pleasant surprise. The easy writing style of the authors convey their expert knowledge very well. They present information that I have not seen gathered together anywhere else, filling a void in this public library cataloger's knowledge."-RQ