In reading the articles regarding cataloguing I realized that it is a changing job. In the past 15 years libraries have gone from card cataloguing to computer records. Even the types of material processed has evolved from primarily books to include a wide expanse of media. The introduction of computer software and the ability to link library catalogs has some to believe that the days of individual libraries cataloguing books is almost over. As the job of cataloguing books continues to evolve I suspect that we will see even more changes.
The Impact of Social Cataloging Sites on the Construction of Bibliographic
Records in the Public Library Catalog
Spiteri, Louise F. (2009). The Impact of Social Cataloging Sites on the Construction of Bibliographic Records in the Public Library Catalog. Cataloging & Classification Quarterly; 2009, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p52-73, 21p. Retrieved 05/30/09 from Academic Search Complete.
This article evaluates sixteen popular online cataloging web sites to determine whether or not they should impact the way that books are currently catalogued.
It goes on to discuss that because online library cataloging sites are popular “we should study social communities such as MySpace to understand what makes them so successful and what they are doing to encourage knowledge sharing (Spiteri, p. 53).” While some of the sites that were analyzed such as DVD spot only catalog DVD’s, others cater to book cataloging only such as Library Thing. Spiteri notes that users of the cataloging sites “tend to share universal behaviors in the ways in which they tag the same resources (Spiteri. p. 54). The biggest advantage noted in the article is that cataloging systems such as Library Thing allow users to provide feedback, to rate books and to suggest other great books on a similar topic. Unlike traditional cataloging systems that only provide content about books. However, concerns about privacy need to be worked out as users of online catalog site leave a trail of information that leads back to them that cannot be allowed in a public based library system.
This article concludes by recommending that public library catalogs incorporate the features that make the online catalogs popular among users to take advantage of what makes them so popular among online users.
They Will Use It, If You Buy It!: Results of an Expanded Survey on the Use of Classification Web.
Ferris, Anna M. (2009). They Will Use It, If You Buy It!: Results of an Expanded Survey on the Use of Classification Web. Cataloging & Classification Quarterly; 2009, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p427-451, 25p. Retrieved 05/27/09 from Academic Search Complete
This article summarizes the results of a survey that examined “the extent
to which working catalogers use Classification Web, the Library of Congress’ online resource for subject heading and classification Documentation (Ferris, p. 427).”
Classification Web is a subscription service that institutions can purchase. The survey was completed by various types of institutions including Academic and Public libraries from mainly North America, but noteworthy a few libraries from around the globe. It found that catalogers use Class Web because they found it was convenient and saved time. One of the biggest advantages of Class web is it correlation feature. The correlation feature allows libraries to link on to other library sites to see how a particular book has been cataloged at a different library. Further development of Class web would be to provide personal options that are specific to an individual libraries needs. Out of the 510 respondents who have Class Web available to them an overwhelming 96% use Class Web weekly.
Ferris concludes her article by stating that given the success of Class Web thus far it will improve cataloger’s ability to catalog books in a digital environment.
Perceptions of the Future of Cataloging: Is the Sky Really Falling?
Ivey, Robert T. (2009). Perceptions of the Future of Cataloging: Is the Sky Really Falling? Cataloging & Classification Quarterly; 2009, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p464- 482,18p. Retrieved 05/30/09 from Academic Search Complete
In his article Perceptions of the Future of Cataloging: Is the Sky Really Falling? Robert Ivey discusses the changes that are taking place in the world of professional cataloging.
Prior to 2006 the amount of articles published on cataloging and the role of catalogers was and average of 3 a year. After 2006 the average amount of articles published on this topic has been about 15. Ivey attributes the rise to two main factors: the increased popularity of search engine sites such as Google and the mass digitization of library holdings.
The article opens by explaining the humble roots of catalog. Cataloging started back with Antonio Panizzi who penned the book 91 Rules for the Compilation of the Catalogue in 1841 (Ivey, p. 465). Cataloging reminded primarily a card catalog system until the early 1990’s when financial pressure on the old methods of cataloging. Ivey outlines the impact that some predicted in the 90”s that would occur in the future world of cataloging. Some stated that Libraries would have less books to catalog, an increased pressure to cut costs would cause wide spread outsourcing, an overall decrease use of the actual library because of online content, and an increase in the types of items to catalog. Ivey argues that out of the predictions only the prediction regarding the increase of the types of cataloging and lowered costs has been realized to date. Library catalogs have the same level of acquisition of materials, and only 28% of libraries out source cataloging.
Ivey states that considering the factors above the role of a cataloger is evolving, but not nearly as quick as some predicted. He also believes that catalogers will continue to exist but they will need to be versatile. This could include teaching courses to students to help them better understand the library and how to use it effectively when researching.
