Department of Library Science
LS 532 - Organization of Collections I
Course Description
Introduction to the principles of descriptive cataloging and classification and subject analysis using the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2d ed., rev.; Dewey Decimal Classification
(latest edition); the Library of Congress Subject Headings (latest edition); Sears List of Subject Headings (latest edition); Library of Congress Classification Schedules (latest edition); and ALA Filing Rules. Focus on broad-based use of the MARC format. Provides an overview of technical services, processing centers, bibliographic control, and commercial cataloging utilities.
Textbooks
Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules. 2nd., ed., rev. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 1988.
Intner, Sheila S. and Jean Weihs. Standard Cataloging for School and Public Libraries. 2nd ed. Englewood, Co.: Libraries Unlimited, 1996.
Supplementary Texts The following tools will be distributed--in limited quantities--to students during class sessions. Specified students will be permitted to take these titles home for use on assignments between classes. A rotation system of assigning books will be employed so as to facilitate access for all students. Sharing between students and searches of area library resources will help ensure that everyone has an opportunity to utilize these works.
ALA Filing Rules. Chicago, Ill.: American Library Association, 1980. Cutter-Sanborn Three-Figure Author Table. Springfield, Mass.: Huntting Co., 1969.
Dewey Decimal Classification. 13th Abridged ed. Albany, N.Y.: Forest Press, 1997. Distrbuted by OCLC.
Library of Congress Subject Headings. Washington: Library of Congress, latest ed.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, each student should be able to perform the following tasks:
(1) Catalog and classify various types of materials with representative problems according to the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2d. ed., rev., the Dewey Decimal Classification, and the Library of Congress Subject Headings (ExCET Competency 002);
(2) Catalog and classify library materials using information obtained from CIP (Cataloging in Publication) data (ExCET Competency 002);
(3) File using ALA Filing Rules and ALA Rules for Filing Catalog Cards (ExCET Competency 002);
(4) Discuss and evaluate journal articles concerning current trends and research in the field of cataloging, classification, and bibliographic control;
(5) Outline the step-by-step process to order, catalog, classify, and make shelf-ready library materials;
(6) Develop a philosophy of bibliographic control and technical services; and
(7) Understand and apply the MARC format (ExCET Competency 002).
Course Outline
I. Interdisciplinary perspectives: bibliographic control
A. Interrelationship of technical services and reference
B. Interrelationship of technical services and collection building
C. Interrelationship of technical services and other service areas/programs
II. Descriptive cataloging
A. Introduction
1. Historical background
2. Types and purposes of catalogs
3. Glossary of terms used in descriptive cataloging
4. Tools and standards applicable to descriptive cataloging
5. CIP
6. Accessing MARC records: LC, OCLC, TLC, commercial
vendors, etc.
B. Forms
1. Paper
2. Offline products
3. Online catalogs
4. Integrated library systems
C. Descriptive cataloging process
1. Title (245 field)
2. Statement of responsibility (lXX, 7XX, 8XX fields)
a. Main title
b. Subtitle
c. Remainder of the title page and verso
3. Edition (250 field)
4. Imprint (260 field)
5. Physical description (300 field)
a. Pagination
b. Illustrative materials
c. Size
6. Series (4XX fields)
a. Author's
b. Publishers'
c. Topical
7. Notes (5XX fields)
8. Standard numbers
a. Library of Congress card number (010 field)
b. International Standard Book Number (020 field)
c. International Standard Serial Number (022 field)
d. Publishers' numbers
D. Choice of Access Points
III. Subject Headings
A. Historical background
B. Basic principles and theories
C. Standard subdivisions
D. Free-floating subdivisions
E. Cross references
IV. Classification
A. Historical background
B. Basic principles and theories
C. Interrelationship between descriptive cataloging and classification
D. Basic procedures
V. Cuttering
A. Historical background
B. Types of cuttering
1. Cutter-Sanborn table
2. Library of Congress table
3. Other methods
C. Basic procedures
VI. Filing
A. Historical background
B. Basic procedures
1. Card catalogs (paper)
2. online catalogs
VII. Technical Services Departments and Processing Centers
A. Organization and components of the department/processing center
B. Flow of materials through department/processing center
1. Acquisitions
2. Descriptive cataloging and classifying
3. Processing
C. Commercially available cataloging
1. Book jobbers
2. Processing centers
3. Bibliographic utilities (OCLC, RLIN, WLN, Texas Library Connection, etc.)
4. Turnkey Computer Systems (Bibliofile, Laser Cat, UNISON including Alliance Plus, Dynix, Microcat, Kelowna, etc.)
VIII. MARC format (NISO Z39.2-1985)
A. Purpose
B. Application to libraries
IX. Trends and research in Technical Services
A. Bibliographic utilities
B. Retrospective conversion
C. Resource sharing
D. Statewide databases (e.g., Texas Library Connection,
TexShare)
E. Internet
F. Authority control
Course Evaluation
Test #1.............25%
Covers descriptive cataloging according to AACR2R.
Test #2.............25%
Covers classification systems and assigning subject headings.
Test #3.............25%
Covers MARC records, bibliographic utilities, authority control
and other concepts relating to organization of collections.
Assigments..........25%
Abstracts, worksheets, reports. Details regarding requirements
covered in class handouts.
Course Policies
Students are requested to meet deadlines when submitting assignments or class projects. Extensions of time will be granted in cases of illness and other emergencies, but a conference in person or by telephone should be held with the instructor. Please see the handout "General Policies."
An incomplete grade may be given in case of an emergency beyond the student's control. All work should be completed as assigned. All work must be submitted prior to taking the final examination. Your work should be presented in the best form possible. If you know at this time that you cannot attend all of the classes, you should withdraw and take another class during this term and this class during another term.
Breakdown of Course Sessions
1st Session: Introduction to the course, objectives, tools, standards, codes, and assignments, and syllabus. Cover Chapters 1-5 (Intner & Weihs). Students will practice descriptive cataloging.
Assignments: Read Text and selected journal articles (to be distributed in class). Read preface to AACR2 (rev.), Sears and DDC. Begin glossary assignment (see: AACR2R text). Prepare abstracts for Chapters 1-5 (Intner & Weihs) and journal articles. Complete descriptive cataloging assignment.
2nd Session: Cover Chapters 6-10 (Intner & Weihs). Complete a descriptive cataloging worksheet in class. Practice development of subject headings. Test #1.
Assignment: Read text. Continue glossary assignment. Prepare abstracts for Chapters 6-10. Complete subject headings assignments (two: one for Sears headings, one for LC headings).
3rd Session: Cover Chapters 11-15. (Intner & Weihs). Practice generation of classification numbers. Discuss journal readings (i.e., session 1 handouts).
Assignment: Read text. Continue glossary assignment. Prepare abstracts for Chapters 11-15. Complete classification numbers assignments (two: one for DDC, one for LC).
4th Session: Cover the MARC format. Introduce Cuttering and ALA filing rules. Each student assigned a class report topic (based on glossary terms). Test #2.
Assignment: Prepare report topic and glossary definitions. Complete MARC records assignment.
5th Session: MARC review. Discuss current trends in cataloging, classification, technical services, and bibliographic control. Class reports. Test #3.
Availability of Instructor
Office hours will be announced during the first class session. Students may call instructor at home if necessary.
Dr. Frank Hoffmann/Dr. Bonnie Thorne
Department of Library Science
Sam Houston State University
P.O. Box 2236
Huntsville, TX 77341
Office: NGL 121/Office: NGL 123
(409) 294-1289 (office)/(409) 294-3674 (office)
(281) 298-2130 (home)
(409) 294-1153 (fax)
lis_fwh@shsu.edu (e-mail)/lis_bbt@shsu.edu (e-mail)