OLAC Newsletter
Vol. 29 | No. 3| September 2009
The OLAC Newsletter (ISSN: 0739-1153) is a quarterly publication of the Online Audiovisual Catalogers, Inc. appearing in March, June, September and December. Permission is granted to copy and disseminate information contained herein, provided the source is acknowledged.
In this issue
President's Column
Meeting Minutes:
News and Announcements:
- MOUG Liaison Reappointed
- Archival Sound Recordings Subcommittee Announcement
- Call for Nancy B. Olson Award Nominations
Conference Reports:
Book Reviews:
- Crash Course in Cataloging for Non-Catalogers
- More Innovative Redesign and Reorganizations of Library Technical Services
OLAC Cataloger's Judgment:
- SMDs for Remote-Access Resources
- Musings on the Mu
- Episode Titles and Season Designations
- Much Ado About Noting
- The Agony of the “sce” (and Other Relator Codes)
- Parallel Title, Displaced
- Records Without Class (Numbers, That Is)
- Uniform Titles for Television Programs
- NTSC, SECAM, and PAL, Oh My
- A Date with Consistency
Book Reviews
Douglas King, Column Editor
Crash Course in Cataloging for Non-Catalogers: A Casual COnversation on Organizing Information
by Allison G. Kaplan
Of the various activities performed by library staff, cataloging is often considered the most intimidating for new librarians and library technicians, especially in small community and school libraries. Guidebooks, handbooks, and freely accessible websites are available to serve as practical introductions to cataloging. However, they frequently have a limited scope focusing on a particular aspect of cataloging. Allison G. Kaplan, associate faculty associate in the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, attempts to take the edge off of understanding the underlying concepts of organizing information. By holding a “casual conversation” with her readers, she hopes to impart enough knowledge so that they may make informed decisions about their collections. As part of the Crash Course series, which is dedicated to rapid training in fundamental library activities, Kaplan aims to address the all-too-true reality of small community and school libraries run by individuals who have not received a formal education in library science
In her introduction, Kaplan sets the conversational tone by utilizing practical and relatable scenarios in order to convince the reader of the benefits to learning the basics of cataloging. What follows is six chapters addressing classification, subject and key word headings, description, MARC and automated systems, local cataloging problems, and how to organize a collection. Each chapter serves as a basic introduction to the specified topic, and efforts are made to utilize cataloging jargon only as deemed necessary to properly present the material. Along with a number of examples and detailed explanations, every chapter contains a bulleted list of “Points to remember,” a problem set, and an answer key allowing the reader to review and apply the learned concepts. The four appendices include a glossary, bibliography, MARC record with corresponding AACR rules, and MARC record template followed by an index.
The author’s ability to set and maintain a conversational tone throughout the text is successful, despite delivering subject matter that can be so easily technical and dry. Kaplan never loses focus on her audience. In fact, she even takes into consideration the realities of inadequate funding in community and school libraries by utilizing freely accessible resources as much as possible. It is this intensely specific audience focus that explains why Kaplan wrote two final chapters aimed at addressing local cataloging decisions for issues that are most commonly confronted by community libraries. The title of the text suggests a much broader focus as there are plenty of library staff that would be considered “non-catalogers.” Yet, it quickly becomes clear that the audience is much more specific. Regardless of the somewhat misleading title, Kaplan is remarkably successful in teaching cataloging in a way that is accessible to a reluctant audience.
The book, while narrowly-focused, is still applicable to a broader community. Library science students who are struggling with the basic concepts of cataloging or new library technicians may find the text to be tremendously helpful and a surprisingly easy read. The audiovisual community, however, may not find the book to be of much use. Kaplan makes an effort to include examples of audiovisual materials as failure to do so would be to ignore a large portion of community libraries’ holdings. However, it is often an afterthought, used to demonstrate the complexity of describing the material with very little explanation to accompany it. Still, it should be noted that Kaplan utilizes enough variety of audiovisual examples to serve as a reference in assisting a community or school librarian confronted with describing A/V materials.
Notwithstanding the inevitable change in rules on the horizon, Crash Course in Cataloging for Non-Catalogers is a useful and unique book that will remain relevant. The author addresses, at the very core, the theory of organizing collections, in a way that is user-friendly to library staff unfamiliar with such essential activities. Kaplan is also successful in justifying and convincing the reader of the benefits of understanding the concepts of organizing information, the contributions in customer service to library patrons, and the ability to solve localized cataloging problems. While not a significant contribution to the audiovisual community, Crash Course in Cataloging for Non-Catalogers is a unique and noteworthy addition to the library community at large and is highly recommended for any library staff needing a basic introduction to understanding information organization.
Published in 2009 by: Libraries Unlimited, Westport, Connecticut. (xii, 140 p.) ISBN: 978-1-59158-401-8 (alk. paper; $30.00).
Reviewed by:
Sandy Rodriguez
Special Project Cataloger
University of Missouri—Kansas City
More Innovative Redesign and Reorganization of Library Technical Services
Edited by Bradford Lee Eden
Library technical services have been undergoing radical changes and are facing new challenges due to shrinking budget, reduced positions, new E-formats, and technology. Seeking innovative approaches and workflows in technical services areas are critical to meeting these challenges, solving problems and improving efficiency. Eden’s More Innovative Redesign and Reorganization of Library Technical Services is a timely publication that provides more case studies and practical examples in technical services reshaping. This book follows his earlier volume Innovative Redesign and Reorganization of Library Technical Services: Paths for the Future and Case Studies, published in 2004.
More Innovative Redesign and Reorganization of Library Technical Services is a collection of ten essays that examine innovative methods and new technology for recent issues and solutions in library technical service areas. It covers various types of libraries including public, academic, medical and law libraries.
Technical services librarians’ roles are changing and reshaping with the technological transformation. Elizabeth Brice and Ross Shanley-Roberts tell of the transition of technical services librarians at Miami University from traditional roles to more emergent roles that drive libraries innovations in knowledge access. Technical services are going through an evolution as libraries are changing from print-based to more digital. Dean James, Laurel Sanders, and Michael Garrett’s essay addresses the history and evolution from technical services to collections management in the Houston Academy of Medicine – Texas Medical Center (HAM-TMC). Outsourcing is becoming a trend in technical services. Christine Mackenzie and Michael Aulich’s essay shares how Yarra Plenty Regional Library in Melbourne, Australia, used the “Brisbane Model” and moved to strategic procurement of library materials, achieving cost savings and fast delivery of materials. Reorganization is happening in technical services to consolidate work processes. Karen A. Nuckolls’ survey article analyses the restructuring and reorganization of technical services in law libraries. Laurie Phillips describes the one-desk model for circulation, reference and technical services at the Monroe Library of Loyola University New Orleans. The “Hybrid Positions” model makes the work more interesting and allows the sharing of expertise across the whole library. Roxanne Sellberg examines the reorganization of the administrative structure of Northwestern University Library Technical Services Division. Vicki Toy Smith’s essay is a quantitative analysis of staffing trends in academic library technical services. Technical services librarians need to reexamine and streamline their workflow to save time and energy. Sifton shares the creation of a new workflow at the Cariboo Regional District Library (CRDL) to improve efficiency in receiving, cataloging and processing of library materials. Web 2.0 technologies are introduced in many libraries’ technical services work processes. Finally, essays by Elisabeth Tappeiner and Kate Lyons, and by Adam Murray, focus on the application of Web 2.0 social networking technologies in technical services to achieve efficiency and collaboration.
More Innovative Redesign and Reorganization of Library Technical Services provides both theoretical and practical guidance on technical services innovative and cost-effective redesign and restructure. Technical services librarians, managers and even administrative personnel will find this book useful in helping them adapt to the changes and better survive the challenges in the 21st century library technical services area.
The essays are clearly written with pictures, charts, and other illustrations. This book is very well indexed and contains notes on the editor and contributors at the back of the book. I would recommend it to library technical services of all sizes and types.
Published in 2009 by: Libraries Unlimited (x, 151 p.) ISBN 978-1-59158-778-1 (alk. paper, $50).
Reviewed by:
Annie Wu (Anping)
Cataloging Coordinator
M. D. Anderson Library
University of Houston
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