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Call #-What is a CALL NUMBER?
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Each item has a unique call number. It can be considered the item’s “address.” Located on spine of book. Tells where item belongs in the library. If you know the classification system in use, it describes the subject/discipline of the item.
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Classification
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What is Classification? A classification system is used to assign the call number. It is a process of dividing objects or concepts into logical classes, subclasses, and sub-subclasses based on the characteristics they have in common and those that distinguish them. (ODLIS) Common classification systems: Dewey Decimal (DDC) Library of Congress (LC) Other classification systems: Superintendent of Documents(SuDocs) - http://www.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/explain.html Alpha-Numeric System for Classification of Recordings (ANSCR) – http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/anscr_class.htm Local, unique systems
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Cataloging
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“The process of creating entries for a catalog. In libraries, this usually includes bibliographic description, subject analysis, assignment of classification notation, and activities involved in physically preparing the item for the shelf…”
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Descriptive & Subject Cataloging
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Descriptive physical characteristics of item, such as size, # of pages, running time of CD/DVD, etc. Subject Identified the subject or subjects of an item – provides access points
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Cooperative Cataloging
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“An arrangement in which a library or library system agrees to follow established cataloging practices and work in automated systems or utilities that facilitate the creation of bibliographic and authority records in a form that can be shared with other libraries. In North America, cooperative cataloging is facilitated by the uniform cataloging practices established in Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2). OCLC is the bibliographic utility used for cooperative cataloging in the United States.”
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Union Cataloging
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Combined library catalog containing the records for several libraries.
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Cataloging in Publication
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“A Cataloging in Publication record (aka CIP data) is a bibliographic record prepared by the Library of Congress for a book that has not yet been published. When the book is published, the publisher includes the CIP data on the copyright page thereby facilitating book processing for libraries and book dealers.”
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Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC Records)
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“An international standard digital format for the description of bibliographic items developed by the Library of Congress during the 1960s to facilitate the creation and dissemination of computerized cataloging from library to library within the same country and between countries. By 1971, the MARC format had become the national standard for dissemination of bibliographic data and by 1973, an international standard.”
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Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
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“…A database composed of bibliographic records describing the books and other materials owned by a library or library system, accessible via public terminals or workstations…”
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Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
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Often accessible remotely Often available to anyone with an Internet connection Most are searchable by Author Title Subject Keyword
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Access Point
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“A unit of information in a bibliographic record under which a person may search for and identify items listed in the library catalog or bibliographic database.”
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Dewey Decimal System
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Created by Melvil Dewey Conceived in 1873; first published in 1876 Subject based Standard for school & public libraries Most widely used classification system in the world – over 135 countries Maintained by Library of Congress Published in print and electronic versions by Online Computer Library Center
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Dewey Decimal System
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How Does It Work? Divided into 10 main classes Example 600 = Technology Each main class divided into 10 divisions Example 630 = Agriculture and related technologies Each division divided into 10 sections Example 636 = Animal husbandry After the first 3 digits, a decimal is used for more specific designation of the subject. Example 636.8 = Cats
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Dewey Decimal System
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10 Main Classes 000 Computers, information & general reference 100 Philosophy & psychology 200 Religion 300 Social sciences 400 Language 500 Science 600 Technology - Let’s take a look at technology 700 Arts & recreation 800 Literature 900 History & geography
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Dewey Decimal System
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600 Technology 610 Medicine & health 620 Engineering 630 Agriculture 640 Home & family management 650 Management & public relations 660 Chemical engineering 670 Manufacturing 680 Manufacture for specific uses 690 Building & construction
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Dewey Decimal System
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Here’s a deeper look at just one of the sections with the 600s (Technology) 640 Home & family management 641 Food & drink 642 Meals & table service 643 Housing & household equipment 644 Household utilities 645 Household furnishings 646 Sewing, clothing & personal living 647 Management of public households 648 Housekeeping 649 Child rearing & home care of persons
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Dewey Decimal System
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One subject, but many numbers! 391 – Social customs and clothing (within social sciences!) 646.4 – Sewing of clothing (within technology!) 746.92 – Design of clothing (fashion design) (within arts & recreation!)
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Dewey Decimal System
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read numbers after the decimal one number at a time
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Library of Congress (LC) Classification
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Founded in 1800 Used almost exclusively in academic, special, and government libraries. 21 major classes Subclasses to each class No classes for letters I, O, W, X, or Y
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LC Classification
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Line #1 – Subject Class
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LC Classification
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Line #1 – Subclass
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LC Classification
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Line #2 – Subject Numbers Used to help define the subject further Numbers organized by ranges
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LC Classification
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Line #3 – Cutter Number Refers to either the author or title Alpha-numeric code Some LC call numbers will even have an additional Cutter Number to further identify the item
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LC Classification
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Line #4 – Publication Date (at times, may be the volume #)
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LC Classification
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Read the call number LINE by LINE Arrange so lower numbers to the left For ease, read numbers after the decimal one number at a time. Cutter line always has a decimal – even if it is not printed (so B27 comes before B3)
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What is a database?
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Electronic file cabinet of information Provides bibliographic records of a uniform format May be subject specific or general/multidisciplinary Often subscription-based with licensing agreements restricting use to qualified users Can be very expensive Made available to the library through various vendors (Examples: EBSCO, Gale, Wilson, OCLC, etc.) If an article (periodical) database, it may provide: Citations only (index database) Citations and abstracts (index and abstract database) Full-text articles Combination of full-text articles, abstracts, & citations
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What is a database?
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We often think of “article databases,” But… All databases are not article databases! Examples: ARTstor image database; Mergent Online business database; CountryWatch database Some databases that provide citations for articles also provide citations for books and other materials The OPAC could be considered a database Also… All electronic resources are not databases! Examples: e-books
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Keyword vs. Subject Searching – Essential to understand!
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Keyword Search – finds resources with search term in the full-text or record; the results may not be ABOUT what you are looking for Example: KW search for Hoover = J. Edgar Hoover; Hoover Vacuum; Hoover Dam; Hoover High School; Herbert Hoover; city of Hoover, Alabama; any items by an author with the last name Hoover Subject Search – finds resources ABOUT the search term by searching assigned subject fields Example: HOOVER, J. Edgar
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Keyword vs. Subject Searching – Essential to understand!
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Subject searching = controlled vocabulary Examples from Library Catalog: United States History Civil War 1861-1865 Personal narratives California History 1846 1850 Biography Keyword searching = natural language – anything goes! TIP: It is nearly impossible to always know the correct subject term. Good idea: When you do not know the correct subject, begin with keyword searching and then refine and move to subject searching as necessary. In a database you can also use the thesaurus or subject terms for help!
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Search Tips
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Always think of synonyms and alternate search terms Italian food>>Italian recipes, Italian cooking, Italian cookbooks, Rome, Florence Teenagers>>young adults, adolescents, teens, youth Put quotation marks around phrases “peanut butter” “civil rights” Truncation and wildcards adolescen* (searches for adolescent, adolescents, adolescence) wom*n (searches for women and woman) Start specific – if this fails, expand “Swan Lake” >>ballet “Happy Days”>>television comedies “German Shepherds”>>dogs
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Field Searching
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Databases are organized into fields Common fields Title Author Subject Keyword The more “searchable fields” the better searching capabilities (Advanced Search over Basic or Simple Search!) Use the database Help section Always examine a new interface before searching to familiarize yourself with Searching options Searchable fields
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Importance of Reference Interview on Database Searching
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Listen well to decipher what patron is in need of Demonstrate searching Teach search strategies May need to help patron narrow or broaden search Help patron determine alternate search terms Help patron refine a search in a database using limiters/refining options Remember: There may be several approaches & different answers for the same patron request – all of these may be fine!
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Boolean Searching: AND
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And=Must have ALL TERMS This is a narrower search “I’m interested in the relationship between poverty & crime.” “I’m interested in how gender plays into the relationship between poverty & crime.”
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Boolean Searching: OR
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OR=Must have EITHER TERM This is a broader search “I would like information about a college or university.”
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Boolean Searching: NOT
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NOT=Must have ONE TERM BUT NOT THE OTHER This is a narrower search “I want information about cats, but not dogs.”
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Boolean Searching in Databases
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Use the search boxes in the advanced search screen of many databases to help build your Boolean search.
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Using Limiters/Refining a Search
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Many databases will provide ways to limit or refine a search. Examples of ways to limit/refine: By author, subject, publication title (example: New York Times), etc. By Publication Type (periodical, newspaper, book, etc.) By Document Type (book review, bibliography, article, editorial) Dates
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Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
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“webpage address”
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Website
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a group of linked files (webpages) that are often related in some way
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Webpage
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one page
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Homepage
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main page of a website; may contain a directory to other pages on the site
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Search Engine
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A search interface where you enter your search terms Retrieves matches based on your search terms Ranks for relevance; “organizes” the data Vary in capabilities, indexing, updating Example: www.google.com
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Search Directory
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Offers lists of webpages organized by subjects Arranged in hierarchies Maintained by people Indexes less of the web than search engines, but results are often more relevant
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Gateway (May also be called directory)
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Limited Often high quality Often annotated Example: Infomine infomine.ucr.edu Over 125,000 sites Compiled by academic librarians at the University of California and elsewhere Example: IPL2: Information You Can Trust (merger of Librarians’ Internet Index and the Internet Public Library) http://www.ipl.org Hosted by Drexel University’s College of Information Science & Technology and various partner and participating university library and/or information schools
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Domain Name
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Usually 3 Parts: www.sac.edu
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.com
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Commercial sites: businesses or personal pages Product information
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.edu
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Universities, colleges, or other school system May be authoritative or contain frivolous information: students, faculty, and staff may have personal pages
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.gov
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Government site Examples: U. S. Census Bureau, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U. S. Department of Labor
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.mil
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Military site Examples: Pentagon, U. S. Army
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.org
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Associations & non-profit organizations Often reliable – but evaluate – organizations can have an agenda
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Evaluating Websites
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there are 6 steps you can take to do a thorough evaluation: Authority Objectivity Accuracy Currency Content/Relevancy Aesthetics
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Step 1: Authority
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Who is the author and/or sponsoring body? Is the author listed? Are the author’s credentials listed? Can you contact the author? Is the contact information readily provided? Check the domain! (.com, .edu, .gov….)
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Step 2: Objectivity
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Try the About Us area (also useful for determining the authorship) Are the author’s/organization’s goals clearly stated? If objectivity matters - Is a particular point of view being presented? Is there bias? Is there advertising? Is the site really an “infomercial” for trying to sell a product? Do not assume it is easy to tell that a site is promoting an extremist view! It may appear educational. Example: http://www.martinlutherking.org/
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Step 3: Accuracy
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Are sources listed for facts and figures given? Are you able to verify the facts elsewhere?
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Step 4: Currency
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Can you determine when the page was last updated? If the site has not been updated for a considerable time, does that matter for what you are researching? Are there a lot of dead links, which shows a lack of maintenance of the site? Is there out-of-date information?
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Step 5: Content/Relevancy
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Is the subject adequately covered for what you are researching? Is it relevant for your research? Do the links on the site (if any) complement the theme?
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Step 6: Aesthetics
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Is there a good balance between text and images? Is the page cluttered or is it designed well?
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What about Wikipedia?
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A few things to consider: Authority Verdict is still out with some librarians & educators “School officials unite in banning Wikipedia” http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2004025648_wikipedia21.html “A history department bans citing Wikipedia as a research source” http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/21/education/21wikipedia.html?_r=1&fta=y&oref=slogin Reliability/error rate when compared to traditional sources – actually, it often performs fair to rather well Remember, whenever possible, use more than one source! You can use Wikipedia as a starting place to point you to more sources
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Google – as a search engine
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Google continues to dominate Google – 66.1% of searches in Sept. 2010 Yahoo in second place with 16.7% of searches in Sept. 2010
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Acquisitions
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Locating, acquiring, and adding a resource into the collection.
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Acquisitions
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Involves Ordering Receiving Processing
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Jobbers (Wholesalers)
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“Industry middlemen” Supply materials to libraries from hundreds of individual publishers Conferences – good places to discover the services of jobbers Almost essential for large libraries Discounts to libraries Examples of jobbers: Midwest Baker and Taylor
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Services Provided by Jobbers
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Cataloging MARC records Bar codes Binding Online ordering Searchable online database for locating materials (can also be used by selectors!)
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Acquisitions: Ordering
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Approval plans Library creates profile with jobber for predictable subject areas Materials are automatically shipped Still requires some level of review; items not wanted can be returned Helpful for large libraries Pro: saves time for selectors and acquisition staff Con: removes librarians/selectors from title-by-title selection - Does it matter?
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Acquisitions: Ordering
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Standing orders (continuation plans) Contract in place to automatically receive new editions of materials Often useful for reference materials or annuals Saves time when it is known a title is a “must have” Reduces gaps in the collection if standing order is an annual (You will not miss a year) Important: have rule in place for how to handle older editions when new edition arrives
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Acquisitions: Ordering
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Book rentals Example: McNaughton Books service Used by some public & academic libraries Allows libraries to provide popular titles, but not necessarily purchase them Helpful when multiple copies are needed temporarily Fills need for leisure reading that academic libraries may have Titles may be pre-selected Once rental period is over, titles may be purchased for a small fee by staff or the library Titles not purchased are returned
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Acquisitions: Licensing
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Common with electronic resources May also be handled by electronic resources librarian within reference department or a team of librarians/staff Resources are not owned, but leased through vendors Model of access over ownership License dictates who can access resource (remote?, on-site?, students?, staff?, username/password authentication?) Understanding copyright/contractual agreement is essential to prevent losing access Restricted # of simultaneous users may apply Consortia efforts may reduce costs – Examples: Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium (SCELC) Systemwide Electronic Information Resources (SEIR)
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Acquisitions: Out-of-Print Titles
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May be encountered when a replacement copy is needed or a researcher requires an older work for research purposes Out-of-print may be permanent or temporary Out-of-print dealers – online or contacting used/rare booksellers
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Cataloging & Classification
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What is the purpose? – ACCESS!! CLASSIFICATION: To assign an address or location for each item in the library (Call Numbers) CATALOGING: To provide information so library staff and patrons can locate the item and understand what the item is (Library Catalog) Descriptive Cataloging: physical characteristics of item, such as size, # of pages, running time of CD/DVD, etc. Subject Cataloging: identifies the subject or subjects of an item
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Acquisitions: Special Materials
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Acquiring and cataloging certain materials requires different procedures Periodicals Special Collections Preservation Government Documents
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Periodicals
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Acquiring: subscription based – requires some level of commitment Cataloging concerns: Title changes Title splits Title ceases Physical processing concerns: Quick turnaround time to make current info available Vulnerable to theft/vandalism Certain titles held behind circulation/periodical desk Closed stacks Tracking & replacing lost/missing issues Binding issues into annual volumes for durability Converting older issues from paper to microfilm Current issues often housed/displayed differently than older issues
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Categories of Periodicals
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Magazines Examples: Psychology Today Rolling Stone Newsweek Journals Examples: The Arts in Psychotherapy Journal of Management Journal of Sea Research Trade (or professional) periodicals – gray area between magazine & journal Examples: Education Week Beverage World Hotels Magazine Newspapers – national/international/local Examples: Orange County Register New York Times Wall Street Journal
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Special Collections
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May include various formats Photographs Papers/manuscripts/letters/diaries Architectural drawings/maps Rare books Fragile books and materials Institutional archives Objects
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Special Collections
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Cataloging concerns Original cataloging Each item in a collection is typically not individually indexed in the catalog, although there are exceptions Finding aids Narrative document describing a collection’s contents Essential for access! Very time consuming! Examples: June Jordan: http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:RAD.SCHL:sch00345 King County Labor Council of Washington Records http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcoll/findaids/docs/papersrecords/AFLCIOKingCoLabor1940.xml Physical processing concerns Highly vulnerable to theft Acid free boxes No stamping/labels Emphasis on preservation Closed stacks Temperature/humidity control
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Government Documents
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Federal Depository Program Participating libraries receive materials from the government at no cost Plans: full, regional, selective Must be available to all citizens Documents may have mandatory retention schedules
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Government Documents
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Various formats Often housed separately from the rest of the collection SuDocs classification system Cataloging concerns: Issued from hundreds of government agencies Renaming of agencies (especially with new presidential administration) Publication date/author information may be lacking or difficult to decipher
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Technical services = Diverse & rewarding career paths for paraprofessionals
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Archives Assistant Binding/Conservation Technician Cataloging Assistant Acquisitions Assistant/Order Assistant Gifts Assistant Government Documents Assistant Periodicals/Serials Assistant
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What is outsourcing?
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“The contracting of library services formerly performed in-house to an outside service provider, usually a for-profit enterprise.” (ODLIS)
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Why do libraries outsource?
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Fills short-term needs Cost savings on benefits for personnel Provides flexibility in staffing Are there benefits for job seekers with professional library service firms? Yes… Flexible or part-time hours Variety of changing work venues New challenges Sample or preview the field with temporary assignments
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Commonly outsourced duties
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Cataloging Records Collection Development Example: Approval Plans Website Development/Management Temporary Projects Consulting Programs: Guest experts, speakers, and trainers
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Outsourcing
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Pro Productivity and turnaround time Allows staff to focus elsewhere Cost savings Con Loss of quality control Loss of library staff expertise Staff comfort/issues What about professional ethics?
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Organizations Similar to Libraries
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Bookstores Book/Author promotion Children’s programming Knowledge of popular reading materials Intellectual freedom Displays Customer service Reader’s advisory Research skills/reference
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Organizations Similar to Libraries
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Publishing Jobs Marketing Assistant Sales Representative Acquisitions Editor Copy Editor Indexer Skills Knowledge of library market Love of the written word Marketing/Sales Subject specialty Writing
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Organizations Similar to Libraries
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Nonprofit Organizations/Agencies Skills Ability to stretch scarce resources or “doing more with less” Grant writing Research skills
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Professional Associations
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Reasons to Join: News Updates/Professional Literature Networking Support Continuing Education Scholarships/Awards Opportunities for Involvement Committee Work Newsletter, Publishing Conference/Workshop Planning Increases Your Marketability Mock resume/interview workshops Mentorship
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Job Hunting
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SAC Website http://www.sac.edu/students/library/nealley/lib_tech/employment.htm Listservs LibrarySupportStaff.com – Library Lists page http://www.librarysupportstaff.com/4subscribe.html Organization Websites California School Library Association http://cholla.forest.net/schoollibrary/jobs/search2.htm ALA JobLIST http://joblist.ala.org LIS Jobs http://www.lisjobs.com Library Job Postings on the Internet http://libraryjobpostings.org/ Individual Library Websites
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Resume Tips
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Section headings may vary. Examples: Education Professional Experience / Library Experience Professional Activities (committee work, etc.) Professional Memberships Conference Attendance/Workshops/Continuing Education Always keep resume current – update immediately If current or recent graduate – provide information on coursework 5-10 years experience customary to include Changing careers? New to the field? Focus on transferability of skills!
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Interviewing Tips
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Group interview is likely for a library job Research the organization/library beforehand Have questions for the interview panel Practice! Interview questions in your textbook (p.258) Visit Frequently Asked Interview Questions (University of South Carolina, School of Library & Information Science): http://www.libsci.sc.edu/career/invufaqs.htm Visit www.librarysupportstaff.com – click on Finding a Job
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Interviewing Tips
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Do not make negative comments about yourself or current/former employers Read other Dos and Don’ts in your textbook (p. 259) Bring a portfolio; samples of work Changing careers? New to the field? Remember - focus on transferability of skills!
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