Copy Cataloging Research Articles

"Keep Them Doggies Rollin'," or, Using Series Authority Records to Improve Cataloging and Processing Workflow

As libraries automate, paper files such as the card catalog, the shelflist, the order file, and authority files are also automated. To exploit the automated authority file and to help streamline the handling of tides in series, Trinity University Library has developed a method to store cataloging and processing information in the online series authority record. The issue of how to integrate the pure tide authority function of the series authority record with the pragmatic aspects of processing titles in series is discussed. As a result of this integration at Trinity University, acquisitions staff, catalogers, and copy catalogers can easily obtain information about distribution and cataloging treatment of tides within series and analyzed serial titles. This procedure is adaptable to manual environments as well

Is It Tweaking or Cataloging Enrichment? Choices in Reshaping Serial Cataloging Copy

Serial catalogers are required to balance the economy of taking standard cataloging copy as is against local demands to catalog apart from the standard. Two serial catalogers discuss examples of cataloging-enhancement practices from the viewpoint of their respective institutions. They examine each in terms of the following: impetus; problem solved or oppurtunity realized; stakeholders affected; costs, documentation needs, and new problems entailed; and factors shaping decisions to make changes.

An Evaluation of Classification and Subject Cataloging in Entry-Level Cataloging Copy: Implications for Access and Instruction

This paper presents the results ofa study involving graduate students in an accredited library school who had completed a course on monographic cataloging. The purpose of the study was to determine entry-level errors in subject analysis. Records were analyzed for errors in subject cataloging and classification. An examination of the data shows percentages of errors in subject analysis. Strengths and weaknesses in subject analysis and the use of subject analysis tools are addressed. Using the data presented, the author provides insight regarding possible reasons for errors. Recommendations regarding training and education of catalogers are presented.

Sharing Expertise to Mainstream Government Documents Cataloging

In 1989 Trinity University Library began a project to copy catalog the pre-1976 titles in its U.S. Depository Collection. In light of the fact that the documents unit is too small to carry out this specialized project alone, several librarians and paraprofessionals have shared their time and expertise to ensure the success of this project Trinity University/Marcive's pioneering role in tapeloading GPO catalog records is briefly discussed. Also discussed are additional ways in which the library is integrating some of the documents cataloging and maintenance responsibilities into the technical serivices department

Copy Cataloging in an Acquisitions Department

Since August 26, 1991 almost two thirds of the currently received monographic copy calaloging activity performed in Central Technical Services of the University Libraries at the State University of New York at Buffalo has been shifted from the Cataloging Department to the Acquisitions Deparment. Among the points covered in this article are the relationship of copy cataloging to the acquisitions function in the NOTIS environment, the relationship between the Acquisitions and Cataloging Departments, the role of authority control, and the advantages and disadvantages of the new approach.

An Analysis of Entry-Level Cataloging Errors: Implications for Instruction and Training

This paper presents the insults of a study conducted over a four-month period involving graduate students in an accredited library school who had completed a course on monographic cataloging. The purpose of the study was to determine the types of errors that appeared on original cataloging copy by entry-level catalogers. The records were analysed for errors in description, headings, encoding of MARC format, capitalization, punctuation, and any other errors affecting access. Specific areas within these areas were examined as well. An examination of the data shows types and percentages of errors in the cataloging copy. The data should assist educators in planning and implementing a cataloging course and will inform professionals hiring catalogers out of library school on how well the graduates are prepared for professional cataloging

Linkage in USMARC Bibliographic Records

USMARC records that contain non-Roman scripts exhibit two types of linkage between the Latin script fields and their alternate graphic representation (the non-Roman text): linkage based on systematic romanization, and linkage between names for the same person, place, or thing. The lack of rules for linkage inhibits copy cataloging, and causes inconsistency on record displays. To determine an unequivocal basis for linkage, four types of field association in bibliographic records are examined: hierarchy of components, functional equivalence, semantic equivalence, and systematic romanization. Semantic equivalence is shown to be the proper basis for linkage. Linkage based on semantic equivalence can be accommodated by the current structure of the USMARC Format for Bibliographic Data.

Original Cataloging in a Decentralized Environment

This paper presents the results of a study conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library over a six-month period. The purpose of the study was to determine the types of errors that appeared on original cataloging copy by cataloging personnel in a decentralized environment. The authors reviewed 2,376 records of original copy for books or microforms. The records were scrutinized for errors in description, headings, classification, subject headings, capitalization and punctuation, encoding the MARC format, including omission of data, and any other errors effecting access. Specific areas within these broader categories were discussed as well. An examination of the data shows types and percentages of errors committed in the cataloging copy examined by the authors.

Designing Buildings Specifically for Technical Services Functions

In January, 1989, the central technical and automated services staff for the Rutgers University Libraries moved into a new building, designed and constructed specifically to house only technical services operations. Today, all tasks involved in systemwide acquisitions, copy and original cataloging, catalog maintenance, processing, and computer services are performed in a building separate and remote from the 18 University Libraries. This paper outlines the benefits and drawbacks of his configuration and explains the rationale for the move, describes the seven year planning and construction effort, and relates the issues that surfaced before and since the staff moved to the facility.

Creation and Implementation of an Automated Authority Section at the Texas A&M University Library

Before the implementation of NOTIS in January of 1988, all authority work at the Evans Library was recorded in an authority card file. Planning began early for the creation of an automated authority section. This section included a cataloger, staff from copy cataloging, and the now obsolete Card Catalog Maintenance Section. This diverse group presented a challenge because of their varying degrees of expertise. Areas of training that needed to be addressed included use of the OCLC and NOTIS systems and basic cataloging rules, especially as they apply to establishing names, subject headings, and series. Issues addressed included: staffing, equipment, materials, training, and procedures and policy decisions. The Library contracted with Blackwell, North America to convert the authority card file to machine readable form, giving the authority section its starting point. The section began training in March 1989 and became functional in July of that year. Even though the section continues to evolve, the original...

Copy Cataloging of Serials

Copy cataloging of serials at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is done in the OCLC cataloging unit of the Automated Services department. Matching OCLC records were found for just over 81 per cent of the serial titles searched from July 1989 through June 1990. One full-time paraprofessional is responsible for copy editing and classification A professional librarian spends approximately two hours a week in consultation with the paraprofessional to resolve complex problems. The UIUC computerized calalog, search searching routines, and serial copy editing procedures are described.

Series Authority Control:

swey was sent to ftty sclected NOTIS librarics in the winter of 1990 soliciting responses describing the type of decisions and level of responsibility of authority control required of copy catalogers. This article reports the findings of the survey and explains the University of Oklahoma's own procedures for series authority work. The workflow changes resulting from the implemen-. lation of NOTIS authority control are discussed.

Life in a Gold Fish Bowl

The integrated online automated system is a recent develooment in libraries. The implementation of the integrated MARVEL system and the decision to display order information to all staff has had a great impact on the nature of acquisitions work at the University of Georgia Library. Integrated systems offer the opportunity to reduce or to eliminate redundancy of effort among technical services staff. Two areas for which this opportunity exists are searching-both preorder and precataloging-and LC copy cataloging. If these changes were implemented, the result would be a blurring of traditional technical services department lines.

Historic Cataloging Costs, Issues, and Trends

The length of LC cataloging cards in number of characters increased 24.5 percent between 1956 and 1981, the number of entries 130.2 percent, the number of fields 96.9 percent, and the number of subject heading subdivisions 156.2 percent. There is a trend toward longer and more complex cataloging copy and a small countertrend toward less than AACR2 cataloging. Most academic libraries, 69.2 percent, are unable to state what their cataloging costs are. Since 1876 the wholesale commodity price index has increased 729 percent, the price of gold (another measure of inflation) 1,590 percent, and the cost of cataloging for large libraries from $0.40 per volume to $17.17 per volume, or 4,292 percent. Since 1896 librarians' annual salaries have increased from $607 to $28,533 or 4,700 percent. Cataloging costs have increased faster than the rate of inflation, but more slowly than the rate of salary increases.

Verification

At Vanderbilt University Library attempts to coordinate pre-order and pre-cataloging OCLC searching guidelines were only partially successful until the Verification Unit became part of the Monographic Services (i.e., cataloging) Department. With Verification's reporting to the head of cataloging and with the department head's more immediate awareness of verification procedures, closer coordination between verification and cataloging followed quickly. In two years, production in the LC Copy Catalog Unit increased 104%.

On-The-Job Training for Cataloging and Classification

Training for cataloging and classification within the Cataloging Department is discussed for two levels of staff, copy catalogers and original catalogers. A general pattern which moves from learning to catalog straightforward materials which require minimal editing to processing materials which are progressively more complex is described for copy catalogers. A survey of heads of cataloging departments reveals that there is a general feeling that cataloging and classification are being shortchanged in library school training and recommendations for such training are made. Training programs for original catalogers also follow a pattern, from working with LC copy to preparing original cataloging records. Some variations to the training patterns for each group are noted. The article concludes with a discussion of continuing education for both groups.

Subject Heading Revision

Cataloging departments must weigh the goal of high quality cataloging against the need to make materials available to the patron in a timely, cost effective fashion. Many cataloging departments still review and revise subject headings assigned by OCLC member libraries to achieve quality cataloging for their libraries. This study evaluates this procedure and compares the number of subject heading revisions made to OCLC cooperative cataloging copy input by research, academic and public libraries. Percentages of revisions did not differ greatly among the three types of libraries and were lower than expected. A reassessment of the library's procedures was recommended and several issues that all libraries should consider were enumerated.

A Comparison of Rates of Patron Utilization of Library Materials Receiving Original Cataloging and Material Receiving Copy Cataloging

Based on a sample of 396 items cataloged between July 1979 and June 1983 at a major university library, no significant difference was found in the rates of circulation of materials which had received original cataloging and those which had been cataloged from copy in the OCLC data base.