Module 12: Cataloging Part 2

 It was definitely a struggle getting through Catalog It! but it was important for me to read. There was so much information in this one book about how to catalog and its importance in a school library.  

 I really appreciated Chapter 8 in the text about the future of cataloging. Last week I discussed in my blog about how I was interested in learning more about MARC records and then this chapter opened by saying that MARC records must die! YIKES! There eventually has to be a new computer framework for us to learn and implement in our school library catalogs. I hope the next system is a little easier to understand. The text mentioned that a system called BIBFRAME might be this new system to replace MARC. It seems like this system could work but the author does voice concerns about how much the system encompasses. It seems like it's more geared towards bigger libraries such public and university libraries. School libraries seem to be forgotten in the development of these new computer systems. It will definitely be interesting to see where BIBFRAME is going to go and how it is going to change library cataloging.

I was talking to my boss more about cataloging this week. She was an English teacher for thirty years at my school and only last year did she take over running the library. She got her MLS when she was teaching English just in case she ever wanted to switch careers. When she took over the library the library collection was a bit disorganized. What she originally wanted to do was completely reorganize the collection and use the Library of Congress system to do this. However, she realized that would have been a very long and strenuous project to do alone. It is still something she thinks about though because it would prepare our students for their college libraries that they will go on to use. Part of me wonders why there has to be different systems to organize a library because as I mentioned in the discussion understanding Dewey did not prepare me for the LC organization in my college library. My work study training prepared me for this and I am grateful for that. I remember all of my friends would come to me when they needed help finding a book in the library. This is definitely something that students should be taught either in their college orientation or in high school perhaps when they are seniors.

Overall, I enjoyed learning about cataloging and how to organize a school library collection. I can't wait to learn more and take what I've learned this week and put it to use in my own library.

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