Gain access to the latest and most savvy research techniques for academic librarians with this robust guidebook written by industry leaders involved in setting national standards for the Institute of Research Design for Librarianship. Staying on top of professional trends in academic library research can help turn any librarian into an expert researcher. This practitioner's guide arms librarians with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively conduct research to enhance professional practice and perform successful inquiries. It discusses current practices of academic librarians; details the process of successfully planning, implementing, and publishing a study; and provides professional and personal development to improve research competency. Written by professionals at the upper echelon of their field, Enhancing Library and Information Research Skills comprises seven chapters that break down the research process and focus on individual steps in performing effective research. The book teaches academic librarians how to develop a research question based on a practical problem, determine the scope and objectives of a study, and select proper research design and methods. Readers will also understand how to identify resources to support the study, set a timeline for data collection and data analysis, write a dissertation, and identify the proper venue for publication/presentation. Features the latest research practices of academic librarians-including current trends and patterns Provides the resources, knowledge, and skills to successfully conduct research, improve professional practice, and enhance careers Engages professionals in a sustained learning process to improve their research proficiency and impact Includes practical information for preparing posters and presentations for conference presentations

Like earlier editions, this thoroughly updated sixth edition of the classic textbook provides readers with a basic understanding of the Library of Congress Classification system and its applications. The Library of Congress Classification system is used in academic, legal, medical, and research libraries throughout North America as well as worldwide; accordingly, catalogers and librarians in these settings all need to be able to use it. The established gold standard text for Library of Congress Classification (LCC), the sixth edition of Guide to the Library of Congress Classification updates and complements the classic textbook's coverage of cataloging in academic and research libraries. Clear and easy to understand, the text describes the reasoning behind assigning subject headings and subheadings, including use of tables; explains the principles, structure, and format of LCC; details notation, tables, assigning class numbers, and individual classes; and covers classification of special types of library materials. The last chapter of this perennially useful resource addresses the potential role of classification in libraries of the future. Serves primarily as an introductory textbook for core LIS courses in cataloging and classification and in organization of information but also as a reference work for practicing librarians Includes an appendix containing models for sub-arrangements within disciplines

This book offers a practical template for training patrons to use eBook, streaming video, online music, and journal collections that is practical, adaptable, and most importantly, sustainable. In order to make your library's expanding digital collection worth having, customers need to know how to access these online resources-and it's up to your staff to show them how. This unique guide explains how to use a device-centered approach to training library patrons (rather than a system-centric approach) that will enable staff to more easily assist patrons, regardless of whether your patrons use Kindles, tablets, mobile phones, or laptops. Using this approach, staff stay current and can prepare for the next technology or interface platform to access digital collections. The book describes different patron instruction scenarios, such as drop-in, one-on-one interactions, tech petting zoos, and classroom settings, and explains how to structure and conduct specific sessions/classes. Readers will learn methods of promoting the digital collection that can be used in their entirety or a la carte, depending on your budget and locality. The final chapters address using social media, print media, and interactive displays; best practices for target marketing aimed at both in-house patrons and external customers; and how you can save money when purchasing equipment. Introduces librarians to a sustainable approach to teaching or coaching patrons on how to access and use eBooks, streaming video, digital music, and digital journal collections Offers a flexible approach that can be customized to libraries of different sizes and budgets Builds on librarians' reference skills to stay current with new technologies Focuses on sustainability for smaller and mid-sized libraries

Covering both classification and cataloging principles as well as procedures relevant to school libraries, this book provides a teaching kit for a course on this critical subject that includes content and practice exercises. A valuable resource for instructors in LIS programs who teach courses in cataloguing with an emphasis on school libraries, this textbook explains the nuts and bolts of classification and cataloging as well as the functionality of integrated library systems and how these systems critically serve the mission of the school. Author Cynthia Houston covers Web 2.0 and the social networking features of these systems as well as examining in detail the principles and procedures for subject classification using Sears subject headings or Dewey Decimal Classification using the Sears tool. This teaching tool kit addresses the cataloging of print materials, audiovisual materials, and electronic materials separately-but all within the specific context of the school library. It supplies a number of examples and exercises to reinforce the key concepts and skills as well as to demonstrate the real-world applications of learning concepts and procedures. Based directly on Houston's extensive experience in teaching classification and cataloging courses, the included content and practice exercises enable instructors to use this book for content, for instruction, and for providing student feedback. Answers essential questions such as "What is the nature of the bibliographic universe in an electronic information age?" and "What is the relationship of my school library's catalog to the bibliographic universe?" Addresses RDA standards as well as cataloguing and classification strategies for school library programs Features practice exercises that readers can apply immediately for in-class use

Covering tools, terminology, and the FRBR-based RDA approach to description, this book explains the current principles of organization of information and basic cataloging practices for non-catalogers, enabling readers to understand elements of the cataloging process and interact with records in a basic manner. Organization of information and cataloging is often the most daunting task for library technicians and non-catalogers working in the library. New RDA cataloging rules can be baffling for even the more seasoned catalogers. Written by two authors with 20 years' combined experience in cataloging instruction, Crash Course in Basic Cataloging with RDA approaches current principles of organization of information and cataloging practices from a basic standpoint for non-catalogers. It makes a complex topic easy to understand and a complicated practice doable for those without the proper training and necessary experience. The book gives readers a basic understanding of organization of information and cataloging practice, explaining how records are created and the approaches to different formats of information in libraries, including MARC records and encoding RDA cataloging records; offering assistance in applying RDA; identifying the cataloger's tools; and providing non-technical explanations for the tasks that today's catalogers do. It contains an introduction, a bibliography/webliography, and three appendices of additional resources (Cataloging Tools, Resources for Catalogers, and Sample Catalog Records). Provides an easy-to-follow, basic understanding of organization of library information and cataloging practice that explains how records are created and offers assistance in applying RDA Offers valuable insight for non-catalogers (and even non-librarians) into the practices and tools used in organization of information and cataloging by documenting the work that catalogers are now doing Explains the approaches to organizing different formats of materials in libraries and accounts for the effects of RDA on current cataloging practices

Coyle's expert ability to draw from the deep historical background of cataloging theory to illuminate the potentials of library data on the Web helped win her the 2011 ALCTS Outstanding Publication Award. Here she persuasively argues that to more effectively connect library users with books, movies, music, computer games, and other resources, library data needs to move beyond FRBR towards a more integrative approach to bibliographic models. But doing so requires fundamental changes in the approach to library data. Combing a sweeping perspective with a critical eye, she assesses how we define a work in the bibliographic world. Showing how bibliographic models reflect technology and our assumed goals of libraries, she points the way ahead for catalogers and metadata specialists, providing clear explanations and analysis on such topics as library data models and their connection to technology, from early printing to relational databases and the Semantic Web; ideas and influence of leading thinkers such Lubetsky, Wilson, and Tillet, along with lesser known theorists like Tanaguchi; IFLA meetings that led to the FRBR study group, including its original charge and final report; FRBR as a conceptual model, and how that differs from data models; the FRBR document's flawed entity-relationship model and how it overlooks user needs; efforts to define a work as a meaningful, creative unit separate from the physical package; detailed analysis of the FRBR entities; and implementations of FRBR both inside and outside the library community. Coyle's articulate treatment of the issues at hand helps bridge the divide between traditional cataloging practice and the algorithmic metadata approach, making this book an important resource for both LIS students and practitioners.

Drawing on the research of experts from the fields of computing and library science, this ground-breaking work will show you how to combine two very different approaches to classification to create more effective, user-friendly information-retrieval systems. A much-needed analysis of the intersection of information organization and technology, this interdisciplinary work encompasses both current and potential methods of organizing information by subject. It examines traditional approaches as they are used in the online environment and explores computer science approaches, such as ontologies and automated tools for subject information organization. Entries review the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches, showcase their applications today, and project what those applications may be in the future. Content ranges from background on the importance of information organization in general to the importance of information organization by subject in particular. Traditional and modern knowledge-organization systems are covered, as are technological standards, selected topics in automated tools, and interdisciplinary research and cooperation. By tackling varied approaches, the work provides you with an appreciation of the tools-and an understanding of common aims. Provides an interdisciplinary overview of current and potential approaches to organizing information by subject Covers both pure computer science and pure library science topics in easy-to-understand language accessible to audiences from both disciplines Reviews technological standards for representation, storage, and retrieval of varied knowledge-organization systems and their constituent elements Suggests a collaborative approach that will reduce duplicate efforts and make it easier to find solutions to practical problems

Looking for a comprehensive, all-in-one guide to RDA that keeps it simple and provides exactly what you need to know? This book covers planning and training considerations, presents relevant FRBR and FRAD background, and offers practical, step-by-step cataloging advice for a variety of material formats. The new cataloging standard, Resource Description and Access (RDA), will have far-reaching impacts on your library in terms of how it approaches resource description and access. RDA has been in use at the U.S. Library of Congress since early 2013 and is being widely adopted in the international library community. Today's catalogers need to understand RDA's basic concepts and principles as well as how to apply its rules in order to provide relevant information services in the 21st-century. This book helps you tackle the challenges of implementing the new cataloging code (RDA/Resource Description and Access) in the MARC environment, providing emphasis on practical, straightforward RDA advice for today's busy cataloger. After a general discussion on planning and training for RDA, the author-a technical services/systems librarian with more than two decades' experience-presents a comprehensive review of RDA's conceptual basis in FRBR and FRAD before providing easy-to-follow, practical guidance on cataloging today's diverse library resources using the new code, covering print, audiovisual, and digital materials. The book is a must-have resource for librarians who catalog on a broad, general level, with or without authority work, and who may or may not be cataloging specialists, but are responsible for handling many different formats. Catalogers at busy libraries committed to getting their new materials out to their users as quickly as possible will also find this work extremely helpful. Supplies an accessible, up-to-date guide to RDA in a single resource Covers history and development of the new cataloging code, including the results of the U.S. RDA Test Coordinating Committee Report Presents the latest information on RDA cataloging for multiple material formats, including print, audiovisual, and digital resources Explains how RDA's concepts, structure, and vocabulary are based on FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) and FRAD (Functional Requirements for Authority Data), both of which are reviewed in the book

This manual provides a guide to the cataloging of criminous literature (i.e., mystery and detective fiction, spy stories, suspense novels, gothic mysteries, and some horror and macabre literature) in the Library of Congress classification scheme--including subject headings, classification numbers, author main entries and literature numbers, artist main entries and artist numbers, and the numbers for major motion pictures, radio programs, television programs, and comic books associated with the field. This Second Edition more than doubles the coverage of the 1987 original version.

In this manual, expert cataloguer Ed Jones shows you how to catalogue serials using the new cataloguing standard, RDA: Resource Description and Access. Serials and continuing resources present a variety of unique challenges in bibliographic management, from special issues and unnumbered supplements to recording the changes that a long-running periodical can experience over time. Easing cataloguers through the RDA: Resource Description and Access transition by showing the continuity with past practice, serials cataloguing expert Jones frames the practice within the structure of the FRBR and FRAD conceptual models on which RDA is based. With serials 146; special considerations in mind, this essential guide explains the familiarities and differences between AACR2 and RDA and demonstrates how serials cataloguers 146; work fits in the cooperative context of OCLC, CONSER and NACO. Jones looks in detail at the process of cataloguing serials and ongoing integrating resources using RDA, from attributes and relationships between works to identifying related entities. Finally, looking at the possibilities offered by Linked Data, he presents examples of how RDA records can ultimately engage with the Semantic Web. Key topics covered: 160;Introduction to serials and serials cataloguing Getting to know RDA: changes from AACR2 Searching and the universe of serials Cataloguing serials and ongoing integrating resources using RDA General instructions relating to serials cataloguing using RDA and MARC 21 Attributes of resources (Manifestations and Items and the Works and Expressions they embody) Relationships between resources Identifying Works and Expressions Identifying related entities Online serials and CONSER provider-neutral records Ongoing integrating resources RDA and Linked Data. Readership: Occasional serials cataloguers and specialists alike. Serials and continuing resources present a variety of unique challenges in bibliographic management, from special issues and unnumbered supplements to recording the changes that a long-running periodical can experience over time. Easing cataloguers through the RDA: Resource Description and Access transition by showing the continuity with past practice, serials cataloguing expert Jones frames the practice within the structure of the FRBR and FRAD conceptual models on which RDA is based. With serials' special considerations in mind, he: explains the familiarities and differences between AACR2 and RDA; demonstrates how serials cataloguers' work fits in the cooperative context of OCLC, CONSER and NACO; presents examples of how RDA records can ultimately engage with the Semantic Web. Occasional serials cataloguers and specialists alike will find useful advice here as they explore the structure of the new cataloguing framework.

One of the problems which face all librarians adding e-books to their collections is that of bibliographic control: there is no legal deposit for e-books and consequently there is no single place from which new titles can be found. If this is true of commercially published e-books, it is most certainly also true of free e-books... and there are many thousands of free e-books available over the Internet, many of which are of a quality such that librarians might wish to have them in their collections. The 2011 Guide to Free or Nearly-Free e-Books is offered as a tool for librarians and others involved in book selection (e.g. teachers in schools) in all sectors - school, further and higher education, public and special libraries - to facilitate easy access to free e-books and e-book collections which can enhance their digital library.

This essential reference teaches library staff how to handle the most common and confusing problems in serials cataloging by providing clear examples, practice exercises, and helpful advice based on experience. Serials cataloging can be an overwhelming task that frustrates even the most seasoned professional. This book provides simple guidance and real-world examples to illustrate best practices in serials cataloging. Demystifying Serials Cataloging: A Book of Examples is a reliable reference for learning how to catalog serials or improve cataloging skills. The book covers important elements of descriptive cataloging of serial publications such as explanations, sample records, applicable cataloging rules, and images of the serials. Examples demonstrate best practices and guidelines from the industry's leading cataloging standards including Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules: Second Revised Edition; CONSER Cataloging Manual; Library of Congress Rule Interpretation; and OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards. Each chapter contains helpful practice exercises to ensure understanding and reinforce learning. Sources include industry-leading cataloging journals Important cataloging information accompanies each example, such as images of the journal's cover and title page, and machine-readable cataloging (MARC) record Margins contain applicable cataloging rules for each example

This book provides a foundation of knowledge for catalogers, metadata librarians, and library school students on the Extensible Markup Language (XML)-one of the most commonly listed qualifications in today's cataloger and metadata librarian job postings. How are today's librarians to manage and describe the ever-expanding volumes of resources, in both digital and print formats? The use of XML in cataloging and metadata workflows can improve metadata quality, the consistency of cataloging workflows, and adherence to standards. This book is intended to enable current and future catalogers and metadata librarians to progress beyond a bare surface-level acquaintance with XML, thereby enabling them to integrate XML technologies more fully into their cataloging workflows. Building on the wealth of work on library descriptive practices, cataloging, and metadata, XML for Catalogers and Metadata Librarians explores the use of XML to serialize, process, share, and manage library catalog and metadata records. The authors' expert treatment of the topic is written to be accessible to those with little or no prior practical knowledge of or experience with how XML is used. Readers will gain an educated appreciation of the nuances of XML and grasp the benefit of more advanced and complex XML techniques as applied to applications relevant to catalogers and metadata librarians. Covers XML from basic concepts, such as core syntax and grammar, to advanced topics, such as transformation and schema design Provides an in-depth look at metadata standards used in the library domain, including MARC, Dublin Core, MODS, and others Introduces available XML tools, utilities, and XML related technologies Includes case studies that draw from real-world applications that show how XML is used in library cataloging and metadata workflows

"In this important book El-Sherbini tackles key questions about how the new cataloging standard will be implemented by cataloging professionals, offering an orientation in the conceptual background and the structure of RDA: Resource Description and Access from a practical and technical perspective, including a detailed comparison with AACR2. Firmly rooted in the concrete application of RDA, with numerous sample records, this book Covers FRBR-driven tasks, FRBR-Group relationships, and principles of FRAD, including how FRAD impacts the RDA application Analyzes the roles of manifestations and items, such as pre-cataloging decisions, preferred sources of information, and mandatory elements of description Discusses works and expressions for specific library materials, from methods of recording primary relationships to constructing the authorized access point and recording relationships Offers advice for using RDA Toolkit, with tips for efficient navigation in RDA Toolkit using workflows and searching techniques And much more"

The Bliss Bibliographic Classification Association is an association of users and supporters of the Bibliographic Classification. The association promotes the development and use of classification, publishes official amendments, enables users to keep in touch and exchange experience, and gives them a say in the future of the scheme. It is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1969, with members all over the world. Each of the following schedules is the result of a rigorous and detailed analysis of the terminology of the field in question, using the techniques of facet analysis.