Catalog It!: A Guide to Cataloging School Library Materials

Whether you're a practicing cataloger looking for a short text to update you on the application of RDA to cataloging records or a school librarian who needs a quick resource to answer cataloging questions, this guide is for you. Since the last edition of this invaluable text was published, the library world has experienced a revolution in descriptive cataloging the likes of which has not been seen since the early 1980s. This updated, third edition of an established and well-respected guide makes it easy for you to stay in step with those monumental changes. The book will help you understand the latest fundamentals of cataloging so you can get items on the library shelves quickly and efficiently. Every chapter has been revised. Changes in standards, including RDA and BISAC, that were alluded to in the second edition are discussed in depth and illustrated with explanations, and sample problem sets are included so you can put theory into practice. In addition, the book provides you with clear headings for easy scanning as well as cheat sheets and templates for creating records for book and non-book items. Previous editions of this text have been used by library practitioners and library and information science professors across the country because of its spot-on, easy-to-follow guidance on cataloging for school libraries. This new edition builds upon those strengths, adding everything you need to know about current, groundbreaking changes.

Table of Contents:
Preface to the Third Edition Acknowledgments Chapter 1: A Brief History of Cataloging Introduction Functions of the Library The Ancient Past Modern Times Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR) Resource Description and Access (RDA) Creating the Catalog MARC Records Sharing Surrogate Records Conclusion Notes Chapter 2: Copy Cataloging and Cataloger's Resources Introduction Databases The Granddaddy of Them All Other Free Databases Programs Online Cataloging Help Conclusion Chapter 3: Introducing MARC Concepts Introduction MARC and ILS Platforms MARC Structure Leader (Field 000) Directory Variable Fields An Overview of the MARC Fields Conclusion Notes Introduction to Chapters 4 through 7 AACR, RDA, and MARC AACR and Areas of Description RDA and WEMI MARC Help Notes Chapter 4: Intellectual Access—Subject Headings Introduction Subject Headings vs. Keyword Access Sears List of Subject Headings, Library of Congress Subject Headings, and BISAC Subject Headings List A Little Historical Background The Comparison The Electronic LCSH Basic Structure of Sears and LCSH Headings and Subdivisions BISAC Subject Headings List Structure The MARC Format: 6XX Fields 600 Field: Personal Name Heading 650 Field: Topical Heading 651 Field: Geographic Heading 610 Field: Corporate Name Heading 611 Field: Meeting Name Heading 655 Field: Genre Heading 658 Field: Curriculum Objectives 690 Field: Local Headings How Do I Know How Many Subject Headings to Add? Conclusion Notes Chapter 5: Intellectual Access—Classification Introduction Organization of Information The Bookstore (BISAC) and Metis Models Dewey Decimal Classification Application Building a Number How Long Should a Number Be? On Famous People, Folklore, Fiction, and Other Classification Conundrums Biographies Folklore Fiction Story Collections Graphic Novels Equipment Application of DDC15 in the MARC Format Creating Call Numbers Conclusion Notes Chapter 6: Access Points Introduction Tying Together the Past and the Present Title and Statement of Responsibility (Fields 245 & 246) 245 Field: Title and Statement of Responsibility 246 Field: Varying Form of Title Main Access Point Fields (1XX) and Added Access Point Fields (7XX) 100 and 700 Fields: Personal Name Entries 110 and 710 Fields: Corporate Name Entries Conclusion Chapter 7: RDA—Physical Description Fields & Coded Data Introduction Number and Coded Fields: Fields 01X–04X Variable Data Fields Edition: Field 250 Publication, Distribution, etc.: Fields 260 & 264 Physical Description: Field 300 Other Physical Characteristics: Fields 336, 337, 338 Series Statement – Fields 490/8XX Notes – Fields 5XX Additional Cataloging Considerations Equipment Periodicals Creating New Records Conclusion Notes Chapter 8: The Future of Cataloging Introduction The Death of MARC Effects of Metadata on Cataloging Bibliographic Framework Conclusion Notes Chapter 9: Processing Information Packages Introduction Labels Packaging Placement on the Shelf Conclusion Appendix I: Hint Sheet Appendix II: MARC Template Appendix III: Answers to the Exercises Chapter 4: Intellectual Access – Subject Headings Personal Name Heading Exercises Topical Subject Heading Exercises Geographic Subject Heading Exercises Corporate Name Subject Heading Exercises Chapter 5: Intellectual Access – Classification Exercises First Summary Tables Numbers into MARC Format Create Full Numbers Chapter 6: Name/Title Access Points Exercises 245 Field Exercises 246 Field Exercises 100 and 700 Fields Exercises 110 and 710 Fields Exercises Summary of Title and Statement of Responsibility Fields Chapter 7: Physical Descriptions Exercises 041 Field Exercises 043 Field Exercises 260/264 Fields Exercises 300 Field Exercises 336, 337, 338 Fields Exercises 490/8XX Fields Exercises 5XX Fields Exercises Glossary Index

About the Author :
Allison G. Kaplan, EdD, is faculty associate at the School of Library and Information Studies, the iSchool at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Review :
Catalog It! shines as an essential professional development resource for school library cataloging.