Libraries that take advantage of the cloud have fewer IT headaches because data centers provide continuous updates and mobility that standard computing cannot easily provide, which means less time and energy spent on software, and more time and energy to devote to the library's day to day mission and services. Here, leading LITA experts demystify language, deflate hype, and provide library-specific examples of real-world success you can emulate to guarantee efficiency and savings. Among several features, this book helps you select data access and file sharing services, build digital repositories, and utilize other cloud computing applications in your library. Together, you and the cloud can save time and money, and build the information destination your patrons will love.

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