Cataloging & Classification Quarterly

Volume 30, Number 1 2000  

Managing Cataloging and the Organization of Information:

 Philosophies, Practices and Challenges at the onset of the 21st Century 

Part One

National Libraries; Libraries around the World

Table of Contents

Single or multiple copies of these articles may be obtained on Informaworld

PREFACE:  Chaos, Convenience and Catalogers.  By Glorianna St. Clair

Introduction to Part 1  By Ruth Carter

Managing Cataloging and Cataloging Operations – 2000 and beyond at the Library of Congress. By Beacher Wiggins
 Abstract.  The article focuses on initiatives and innovations undertaken at the Library of Congress (LC) during the past decade and the first decade of the new century that affect LC cataloging—including its implementation of a new integrated library system, its digital resources activities, its adoption of the core level bibliographic record, and its role as secretariat of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging.  In reviewing these initiatives, the article underscores he challenges LC faces as the de facto national library in managing cataloging and the organization of information.  The author highlights how LC enterprises help point the way for cataloging, both at LC and within the larger library community.

The National Library of Canada: Organizing Information for the New Millenium.  By Liz McKeen and Ingrid Parent
Abstract. The authors outline the role played by the National Library of Canada in realizing bibliographic control of Canadian publications, and recount the Library’s current and future bibliographic programs at the beginning of the twenty-first century.  The historical context is summarized, including the legislative underpinnings of the national bibliography Canadiana, and the development of cataloguing policy and practice traced.  The National Library’s tradition of bilingual (English/French) cataloguing in accord with Canadian law and culture is explained.  The organization of the cataloguing function and programs at the National Library of Canada is elaborated, and the importance of staff and their evolving skills highlighted.  The article concludes with an overview of the challenges facing the National Library of Canada at the conclusion of the twentieth century, and its plans to recast the bibliographic dream of former times in the light of technological, cultural and social forces of today and tomorrow.

Emerging from the Bibliographic Wilderness : Catalogue Automation in the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford.  By Peter P. Burnett
 Abstract.  This article provides a history of cataloguing and catalogue automation at the Bodleian Library, Oxford University and includes a description of the Catalogue Support Services within the Cataloguing Division of the Bodleian Technical Services Department.  The 1995 decision to migrate to Geac and some subsequent development and implementation is described along with staff training for the cataloguing module.  The article includes an assessment of the impact of automation and challenges for the future.

Defying conventional wisdom: innovation and culture change from down under. By Jilleen Chambers Jennifer Martin , and Beverley Reynolds
Abstract.  During the last few years, the Technical Services Section of Griffith University Library has undergone widespread and radical change.  An ambitious goal of a 50% productivity improvement was a major driving force.  The approaches taken to achieve this were threefold: developing innovative technological solutions to reduce repetitive components of technical services work without sacrificing quality; entering into a mutually beneficial partnership agreement with a preferred vendor; and, instituting a culture change that included high performance, and self managed teams.  This paper describes the processes undertaken, and outcomes achieved.

Technical Processes and the Technological Development of the Library System in the National Autonomous University of Mexico.  By Carlos García López
 Abstract.. This paper will first provide a synopsis of the technological developments to date from the perspective of the technical processes of the Library System of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Secondly, this paper will explain how the General Directorate for Libraries (DGB) coordinates the development and enrichment of holdings of that Library System. Emphasis will be placed on the Technical Processes Department as the responsible for organizing and processing all the bibliographic material by using a variety of online tools as well as traditional material as the Anglo American Cataloging Rules 2nd ed. and also including standardization developments. Then, the paper will briefly describe the databases that the General Directorate for Libraries has developed: LIBRUNAM, SERIUNAM, MAPAMEX, TESIUNAM, EUTERPE, CLASE, PERIODICA, and   ELECTRONIC JORNALS.  Finally, this paper also describes the computer equipment used to carry out the library activities and services.

Role Changes : Cataloguing, Technical Services and Subject Librarianship at the University of Botswana Library (UBL).  By Rose Tiny Kgosiemang
Abstract.  The University of Botswana library (UBL) was formed in 1971.  It started automating its processes in 1990, which has led to changes in workflow, roles and staff allocations.  In the process of automation, acquisitions and cataloguing have been merged.  The paper examines changes that have occurred since the merger of acquisitions and cataloguing.  It compares practices of the manual era and the automated period.  Lastly, it outlines lessons learned, problems encountered, and makes some recommendations.

The organization of the cataloguing function at McMaster University.  By Cheryl Martin
Abstract.  Many technology-related changes in technical services have affected not only what we catalogue, but how access is provided. At the McMaster University Library, there have been many changes in the organizational structure and composition of the Bibliographic Services division in the past few years. This paper will document the management of the cataloguing and maintenance functions and the organization of information at a Canadian academic library. Future trends and how the library is planning for them are also discussed.

Classification Systems Used in Latin American Libraries.  By Filiberto Felipe Martinez Arellano Orlanda Angelica Yañez Garrido
Abstract. It is taken for granted that the Dewey Decimal Classification and Library of Congress Classification are the most used classification systems worldwide.  However, LIS literature does not includes studies or research reports about classification systems currently used in Latin America libraries, and the reasons behind their adoption. This paper shows the results of an e-mail survey carried out among Latin American libraries to learn what were the classifications systems used in them, as well as some of the reasons that motivated them to select those classification system.

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