Module 11: Cataloging Week Part 1
I have had some experience with cataloging in both public and school libraries. I first was introduced to cataloging when I did an internship at my public library when I was in high school. I was taught how to catalog new books and materials by entering information into the computer. I would then have to cover the books and add the call numbers and barcodes to the book. I also remember having to write certain information inside the book such as the call number, where the book was purchased, and the price. I liked this part of the internship a lot because I liked looking at the new books and inputing their information into the system. I was happy to do it again when I started working in a school library.
One of the things that I was interested in learning more about were MARC records. I first was introduced to these in the last school I worked but at my boss didn't really explain them to me. MARC stands for MAchine Readable Cataloging and to be honest reading chapter three left me a little lost. However, after thinking more about them and reading more from the text I think I have a better understanding of the system. The MARC record is basically the data that is entered about each book or material that we enter into the electronic catalog. When the MARC record pops up in Follet I sometimes get so confused about what I'm looking at. Now I know it's just the information about the book in a type of code.
I think this book is interesting, but I think we are definitely going to learn a lot more by actually doing these things in our libraries. I was talking to my boss about cataloging and she actually took a look at the text book as well. It brought back some memories about the cataloging class that she had to take, which she told me was a lot of work. These are important skills to have and I definitely want to learn more.
When it comes to the Dewey Decimal system, I would use this in my own library. I think it definitely can be modified and I have worked in school libraries where it has been. I personally wouldn't organize my collection by genre because I think it would just be chaotic. Also college and public libraries for the most part I think are not "genrefied." Students may expect all libraries to be organized like this and then they'll have to learn a completely different system. I think the DDC system works really well and I am definitely reluctant to completely do away with it.
One of the things that I was interested in learning more about were MARC records. I first was introduced to these in the last school I worked but at my boss didn't really explain them to me. MARC stands for MAchine Readable Cataloging and to be honest reading chapter three left me a little lost. However, after thinking more about them and reading more from the text I think I have a better understanding of the system. The MARC record is basically the data that is entered about each book or material that we enter into the electronic catalog. When the MARC record pops up in Follet I sometimes get so confused about what I'm looking at. Now I know it's just the information about the book in a type of code.
I think this book is interesting, but I think we are definitely going to learn a lot more by actually doing these things in our libraries. I was talking to my boss about cataloging and she actually took a look at the text book as well. It brought back some memories about the cataloging class that she had to take, which she told me was a lot of work. These are important skills to have and I definitely want to learn more.
When it comes to the Dewey Decimal system, I would use this in my own library. I think it definitely can be modified and I have worked in school libraries where it has been. I personally wouldn't organize my collection by genre because I think it would just be chaotic. Also college and public libraries for the most part I think are not "genrefied." Students may expect all libraries to be organized like this and then they'll have to learn a completely different system. I think the DDC system works really well and I am definitely reluctant to completely do away with it.
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