Cataloging and Classification LM 5020 Plymouth State University INSTRUCTOR: Nancy J. Keane njkeane@plymouth.edu nancy@nancykeane.com 603-228-4473 (home) 603-225-0862 x5020 (work) COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course covers the theory and application of basic principles of cataloging and other methods of organizing information. Through lectures, discussions, and exercises, students will learn how the standard methods to organize information in various environments. The bibliographic data exchange format, i.e., machine-readable catalog records (MARC), and metadata methods will be discussed and applied. CREDIT: 3 hours COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the semester, students who succeed in finishing the course should be able to: A. Identify a broad range of knowledge representation models drawn from the fields of information science, communication, semiotics, philosophy, cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence B. Apply the basic principles of knowledge organization and representation to the indexing, abstracting and classification of information in several media print and non-print. C. Demonstrate practical experience in applying the basic principles of knowledge organization and representation to the indexing, abstracting and classification of information in several media print and non-print D. Demonstrate the analysis of information resources for hypertext indexing. E. Demonstrate an understanding of the function of subject analysis in indexing and classification F. Demonstrate an understanding of the development and application of controlled vocabularies and syndetic structures. G. Recognize the major classification systems currently in use. H. Demonstrate the application of the Dewey Decimal System to the classification of information in several media print and non-print. STANDARDS ADDRESSED New Hampshire Ed 614.11 Library Media Specialist (a) The teacher preparation program for library media specialist in grades K-12 shall provide the teaching candidate with skills, competencies and knowledge through a combination of academic and supervised practical experiences in the following areas: (1) In the area of administration, the ability to: b. Develop and implement policies and procedures to acquire, process, organize, disseminate, maintain and continually assess collections of information resources, essential equipment, and latest technologies; (ALA, AASL Standard 2a, 4a)
d. Implement effective strategies and techniques to systematically perform library management operations, including, but not limited to: 1.Budgeting; 2. Staffing; 3. Scheduling; and 4. Managing and maintaining resources; (ALA, AASL Standard 4b) g. Design, manage, and maintain the library media facility to support the collaborative and independent work of all learners; (ALA, AASL Standard 1d, 2a, 4b) j. Align the library media program with national library information literacy standards; (ALA, AASL Standard 1b, 3c) (2) In the area of ethical, legal, and responsible use of information, the ability to: a. Develop policies consistent with: 1. School, district, state, and national standards; 2. Relevant laws and legislation; 3. Privacy rights; 4. Equity of access; and 5. Tenets of intellectual freedom; (ALA, AASL Standard 1a) d. Employ existing and emerging technologies to access, evaluate, and disseminate information including, but not limited to: 1. The Internet; and 2. Electronic databases (ALA, AASL Standard 1c) (3) In the area of collection development, the ability to: a. Create and implement a collection development policy that demonstrates knowledge of principles related to selection, acquisition, organization, evaluation, and reconsideration of library resources; (ALA, AASL Standard 4a) b. Select current, relevant, and balanced resources for the diverse needs of the school community that support the curriculum and provide leisure materials; (ALA, AASL Standard 4a) c. Implement standard procedures for classifying, cataloging, and processing that facilitate resource sharing; and (ALA, AASL Standard 4a) d. Employ existing and emerging technologies to access, evaluate, and disseminate information including, but not limited to: 1. The Internet; and 2. Electronic databases; (ALA, AASL Standard 1c) MAJOR TOPICS: I. Descriptive Cataloging A. Areas of description B. Access Points C. Authority Control and References II. Subject Cataloging A. Classification - DDC and LCC B. Subject Headings III. MARC record structure IV. Administrative issues regarding access V. Future of cataloging - RDA
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS: Intner, Sheila. Standard Cataloging for School and Public Libraries. 4th ed. Libraries Unlimited, 2008. Gordon, Michael. Concise AACR2. American Library Association, 2004. Selected readings posted to Moodle. TOOLS FOR DESCRIPTIVE AND SUBJECT CATALOGING YOU WILL NEED TO CONSULT: Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC). Library of Congress Classification (LCC). Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). Sears List of Subject Headings (Sears). METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: The course will be taught in an online format using Moodle. There will be several interactive discussions and frequent opportunities to interact with the instructor and fellow students. Additionally, there will be weekly assignments that will be turned in via Moodle. ASSIGNMENTS: 1. Students will read the assignments and posted notes as given on the course calendar. Students will participate in required interactive discussions. (20%) 2. Students will complete all assigned exercises. Assigned exercises are due as posted. Answers will be displayed in the course wiki after due date. No credit will be given if assignment is turned in after answers are posted.. It is the student's responsibility to compare your answers with those posted and to research reasons for discrepancies. The instructor should be consulted with questions about the assignment answers. Due dates for exercises will be given with the exercise instructions. (30%) 3. A policy manual (minimum of 10 pages) describing local decisions regarding cataloging policies and a rationale for those decisions will be due at the end of the course. Additional information regarding the format and other information will be given. (50%) COURSE POLICIES: All assignments are due by the date indicated. Work not received on time will have to be graded as late. Late assignments will not be accepted more than 24 hours after due date without prior approval from the instructor and may be subject to grade reductions or no credit, at the instructor's discretion. One online discussion absence is allowed. Prior arrangements should be made with the instructor for missing a discussion if at all possible. Additional absences may result in a lower course grade. The calendar is a part of the syllabus, but may be revised by the instructor as needed. Additional instructions for assignments and grading rubrics are also considered a part of the syllabus. Students wishing to make up work because of illness or family emergency must contact the instructor as soon as possible so makeup arrangements can be made. All written assignments are to be deposited into the dropbox in Moodle. If students have issues with Moodle, the assignment may be emailed directly to the instructor. This will be allowed only once. It is the responsibility of the student to learn to use the tools.
Appropriate behavior is expected. Comments and reactions that are posted online, while presented honestly, should be carefully phrased to avoid sounding negative or rude to fellow classmates or the instructor. An online environment, with its lack of visual feedback, requires particular attention to courtesy and phrasing. COURSE COMMUNICATION: Communication will be primarily by e-mail and through the course Moodle site. Each student is required to e-mail the instructor at the beginning of the semester and to provide his/her e- mail address, mailing address, and ALL telephone numbers where the student can be reached. Each week question(s) will be posted in the Discussion Area for which each student will post an individual response. Additionally, each student will post a minimum of one response to a posting. GRADING Weekly Discussions 20 points Weekly Cataloging Exercises 30 points Cataloging Policy Manual 50 points POINTS SCALE: 94-100 A 90-93 A- 88-89 B+ 83-87 B 80-82 B- 78-79 C+ 73-77 C 70-72 C- 63-69 D Below 63 F
POLICY MANUAL RUBRIC LM 5020 PSU Cataloging Rubrics Cataloging Manual Project (ALA, AASL Standard 1a, 1c, 1b,1d, 2a, 3c, 4a, 4b) Policies included (15 points) Justification (15 points) Examples (10 points) Mechanics (5 points) Organization (5 points) Distinguished (45-50 points) The manual is thorough and covers aspects of library cataloging policy Includes a statement of why the policies have been adopted. Explains how organization allows access to and promotes use of the collection. Ample examples are included to allow reader to understand policy. Grammar/spelling are correct All requirements met with proper labeling; easy to use and in proper order Proficient (35-44 points) The manual is adequate and covers some aspects of library cataloging policy Includes minimal information about why policies have been adopted. Provides minimal explanation about how policy allows access to or promotes use of the collection. Several examples are included. Grammar/spelling have some issues All topic requirements met but not in logical sequence Basic (<35 points) The manual is minimal and covers few aspects of library cataloging policy Includes little or no information to explain the justification of policies. Few if any examples are included. Many typographical errors and grammatical errors Most items covered but not in the proper order with tabs Examples of items that should be included in the complete policy manual. Your manual for this class does not have to cover all items but must give enough detail in what you do include so that an outsider can understand what you are doing. Please include discussion of how these policies allow access to the collection and promote use of the facility and materials. Cataloging Manual Checklist Classification system guidelines Cataloging standards (What is cataloged and why) Subject heading type and format List of locally established subject headings Divergences from MARC format and the rational for the changes List of vendors, processing specifications, sales representatives, phone numbers and discount rates Barcode ranges, type & source for vendors Materials barcode type and sources Patron barcode type and sources Automation system, version, Tech Support number, & sales rep. Copy of contract. Passwords (just a note telling who would have them) Processing procedures Automation system backup procedures and location of (off-site) backup tapes Vendor and date of last database clean-up Ordering procedures Shelving guidelines and library map Explanation of how organization scheme allows access to the collection. Explanation of how shelving scheme promotes use of the library and
How authority control is managed materials. Selection & deselection guidelines Review / selection resources Materials challenge policy & procedures Substitute directions and guide using the automation system