Sunday, April 18, 2010
Cataloging
Okay...I'm feeling pretty confused. I never realized there was so much to this cataloging stuff. I'm a pretty organized person and I like order so it seems like this should come easy to me, but it's not, yet. It seems amazingly complicated, with lots of memorization required. I guess once I get it and start to use it, it will become easier. So far, in the school where I've worked, cataloging has been very easy for me- I just need to search by ISBN, title or author, and usually I will find the record (we have Follett) and download it. I've also created a few very simple records myself when I couldn't find one on Follett, but they have just very basic information. I've seen MARC records many times, but never understood what all those tags and numbers mean. Maybe after I finish next week's reading, it will click in my head. I hope so. At least I'm understanding the Dewey Decimal Classification system fairly well.
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Don't focus on memorization at all! The idea behind CATALOG IT and modern cataloging in general is that we need to know the structure and how things are classified, but we don't have to be able to build records with out looking at the book! As you are reading, just remember that you don't have to burn the book after you finish it! You will have access to it if any questions come up. I also buy my cataloging from Follet (for new books) or use the records available from my OPAC system. I can build a record if I need to, but luckily I almost never do!
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