Policy for Cataloging?

[sbrisco <sbrisco021@CHARTER.NET>]

Isn't it funny that during this time of year (inventory), we all seem to
have these wonderful cataloging questions?

Well, I have questions but I think I've figured out the problem(s).  (Books
in the 800's-- literary criticism being placed under various numbers, author
names, editor names, titles --- that are difficult to locate because of the
discrepancies in cataloging procedures.)

This made me wonder if anyone has written a basic policy for your library
regarding cataloging materials?  ( B for Biographies or 92 or 921?)  (
813 --- or Fiction)  (VC  or VT for Video Tapes) For nonfiction, how many
numbers past the decimal do you bring it out?

I have books (the exact same books) in three different places throughout my
library.  This was not done to "help" students locate the book where ever
they might look...this was done because three different librarians were in
charge of ONE person --my assistant-- who has never had any library classes
and no cataloging skills!   --- Let's not even talk about Marc Magician,
copy cataloging avenues, certified librarians on staff who didn't check her
work.......(..."but I'll think about this tomorrow at Tara..." -- Scarlet
O'Hara, in _Gone With the Wind_)

I also have call numbers taken out to 8 digits beyond the decimal....if you
took it out to only three digits past the decimal I would still have only
one title with that Dewey number!! (a cataloger with too much time on his
hands?)

If you have a basic policy that you use to keep the collection consistent
(even after you have gone), would you mind sharing it?

Needless to say, I have re-discovered the DDC 21 today....each and every
volume and number....and, by the way,.... those loud "thunking" noises WERE
the sounds of my head beating against the shelves when I realized how
ridiculous things were looking in my collection!  (You can't judge a library
by its stacks!)

Only 6 days left....summer!!!!

~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net

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