Resources for Cataloging and Acquisitions

 

 

[Acquisitions]  [Getting Started]  [Matching Pre-Existing Cataloging]  [Description]  [Main and Added Entry]  [Subject Cataloging]  [Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress Classification]  [MARC]  [Cataloging Different Formats]  [Sources of Cataloging]  [Downloading MARC Records]  [Automated Systems]  [Products and Services]  [Cataloging and Classification Terminology]  [Other Useful Cataloging Sites] [Continuing Education]  [Changes, Trends, and the Future of Cataloging]  [Cataloging Associations, Organizations, and Groups]  [Contact Us]

Acquisitions

Where can I find information about acquisitions?

• AcqWeb with comprehensive resources for acquisitions and collection development

How can I find out about using Vermond state contracts to order items and receive discounts?

• State Contract Vendors and Discounts

Getting Started

What is the best way to proceed?

• Or der cataloging whenever possible
• Consider doing original cataloging only when pre-existing cataloging is not available

Matching Pre-Existing Cataloging

What guidelines can I use to determine if the cataloging I find is a match for what my library owns?

• Refer to a cataloging checklist
• Refer to OCLC's When to Input a New Record  (advanced cataloging)

Description

What are several shortcuts to help with descriptive cataloging

• Use copy cataloging (cataloging from pre-existing records)
• Use CIP (cataloging-in-publication, which is cataloging information usually found on the verso of title pages)
• Use related cataloging for hints on description, classification numbers, subject headings, and setting up various MARC formats
• Refer to AACR2: Descriptive Cataloguing for Monographs for a summary of the most important rules

 

Where can I find a tool to convert 10 digit ISBNs to 13 digit ISBNs and vice versa?

• ISBN Converter
• ISBN-13 Online Converter

 

Main and Added Entry

Where can I find out how to set up headings and do cross-references?

• Refer to the Library of Congress authority site to find established headings and cross-references
• Refer to AACR2: Access Points for a summary of the most important rules on how to setup headings

 

Subject Cataloging

What are several quick and effective ways to find good subject headings and cross-references to use?

• Refer to print version of Library of Congress Subject Headings or the online Library of Congress authority site ( appropriate for all automated libraries and large card libraries; type of subject heading found in MARC records and in CIP
• Refer to Sears List of Subject Headings (appropriate for small libraries using catalog cards)
• Refer to subject headings in related cataloging found in VALS Web2 catalogs, the Library of Congress Online Catalog, or other library catalogs on the web
• Refer to Subject Cataloging: Free-Floating Subdivisions

 

Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress Classification

What are several quick and effective ways to find good Dewey Decimal or Library of Congress classification numbers to use?

• Refer to Dewey Decimal or Library of Congress classification numbers in cataloging found in VALS Web2 catalogs, the Library of Congress Online Catalog, or other library catalogs on the web
• Refer to Sears List of Subject Headings for Dewey numbers provided after subject headings
• Refer to the print version of Library of Congress Headings for Library of Congress classification numbers provided after subject headings
• Refer to People, Places & Things: a List of Popular Library of Congress Subject Headings with Dewey Numbers (Dublin, Ohio: Forest Press, c2001.)
• Refer to the online table Map LC (LCC) to Dewey (DDC) Classification  to convert from Library of Congress Classification to Dewey
• Refer to the online table Map Dewey (DDC) to LC (LCC) Classification  to convert from Dewey to Library of Congress Classification
• Refer to conversion tables such as: Scott, Mona L. Conversion Tables. LC - Dewey, Dewey-LC. 2nd ed. (Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, 1999)
• Refer to Classify: an Experimental Classification Service
• Refer to the DeweyBrowser for suggestions of Dewey classification numbers
• Refer to The Dewey Blog

 

MARC

Where can I find a brief and concise explanation about MARC records?

Where can I find out what a MARC code means?

• Library of Congress MARC 21 and MARC 21 Formats with the option of querying individual MARC field tags
• OCLC's Bibliographic Formats and Standards with the option of querying individual MARC field tags

 

If I input an original cataloging record, what MARC fields are required?

• Vermont Library Guidelines for MARC Record Input Level K Cataloging for Original Input of Monograph Records providing information about MARC fields and holdings codes for libraries participating in VALS

Cataloging Different Formats

Where can I find basic guidelines on cataloging different formats?

• Cataloging cheat sheets for different formats
• Tools for Serials Catalogers
• Serials in Cyberspace 
• Cooperative Cataloging Rules: Subject/Specialized Manuals

Sources of Cataloging

What are several good sources of catalog cards, MARC records and cataloging information for Vermont libraries?

• Vermont Library Cataloging Services for public libraries meeting Minimum Standards for Vermont Public Libraries
• Vendors listed on the Vermont state contract
• VALS Web2 catalogs
• Library of Congress Online Catalog
• WorldCat
• Library Z39.50 Destinations
• Z39.50 Target Directory
• Vermont Cataloging Cooperative for Vermont librarians to share original records, get cataloging support, and talk to professional catalogers

 

Downloading MARC Records

How can I download records from DOLCAT, PUBCAT and K12CAT in VALS?

• Call up a record in the Web2 catalog. Click on "MARC display." Click on "Download MARC Record." The record will appear as one long line of text. From your browser choose "File" and then "Save as." In the "Save as" window, be sure that the "Type" is "Text file" or "All files". You can give the record any file name you wish and an extension your library system uses such as ".mrc" or save it as a text file.

 

How can I download records from the Library of Congress Online Catalog?

• Call up a record in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Refer to LC's Frequently Asked Questions under the topic, How do I download MARC records from the Online Catalog. Scroll down to a dialog box and select a format, either text (Save, Print or Email) or MARC Format. Then click on "Save Search Results." Type your email address in the appropriate box and the record will reach you by email.

• According to the Library of Congress Help page for Saving MARC records, LC MARC records cannot be emailed in the MARC format. If the email option is chosen the records will be received in standard ASCII format.

May I download MARC records from any library catalog?

• Guidelines on Acceptable Use

 

Automated Systems

What other Vermont libraries use the same automated system my library uses in case I need help?

• Who Has What - Automated Systems in Vermont Libraries

 

Products and Services

Where can I find the names of companies that offer cataloging products and services?

• Buyer's Guide and Web Site Directory (December supplement to Library Journal)
• Buyer's Guide (in July/August issue of Computers in Libraries)
• Librarian's Yellow Pages

 

Cataloging and Classification Terminology

Where can I find definitions for cataloging and classification terminology?

• ODLIS: Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science

 

Other Useful Cataloging Sites

Are there additional popular sites  that catalogers use?

• Library of Congress Cataloging and Acquisitions Home Page

• Memorial University of Newfoundland Cataloguer's Toolbox

• Library Cataloguing Aids

• Internet Library for Librarians with resources for different library professions including resources for technical services

Continuing Education

Where can I learn more about cataloging and classification?

• Vermont Department of Libraries Technical Services Home Page
• Library Science collection at the Vermont Department of Libraries at 109 State St. in Montpelier
• Online tutorials and other sites:

                American Library Association List of Continuing Education Opportunities

                Cataloger's Learning Workshop

                Cataloger's Learning Workshop podcasts

                ALCTS's Continuing Education Clearinghouse

                Dewey to the Rescue online multimedia tutorial on Dewey classification

                Let’s Do Dewey

                MARC 21 Tutorial created by Ann Branton and Aipig Chen-Gaffey of the University of
                           Southern Mississippi

                Implementing Authority Control online self-paced workshop created by Lorraine Lanius at
                           the Vermont Department of Libraries
 

Changes, Trends, and the Future of Cataloging

How can I keep up with changes and trends in the cataloging field?

• RDA (Resource Description and Access) the successor to AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloging Rules)
• FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) information from the LISWiki
• OCLC FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) Research
• Cataloging Blogs compiled by Dodie Gaudet of the Central Massachusetts Regional Library System 
• The Cataloguing Librarian
• Next Generation Catalogs
• xISBN for retrieval of International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) associated with a particular ISBN
• OCLC Research Projects

Cataloging Associations, Organizations, and Groups

What organizations and groups have an interest in cataloging issues?

• Vermont Catalogers Round Table
• NETSL (New England Technical Services Librarians) Section of New England Library Association
• ALTCS (Association for Library Collections & Technical Services) Division of American Library Association
• OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) including information about OCLC products, services, research, documentation publications and forms.
• Library of Congress

 

For further information:
 

Technical Services Unit
Vermont Dept. of Libraries
109 State St.
Montpelier, VT 05609-0601
Phone: 802-828-2740
              802-828-3261
FAX: 802-828-2199

Compiled by Lorraine Lanius, Head, Technical Services Unit

Last updated: October 6, 2011

 

This program supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency, through the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Vermont Department of Libraries.

 
Technical Services Home Page for Vermont Public Libraries 

Vermont Department of Libraries Home Page

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