Cataloguing
Cataloguing is the process of making entries for a catalogue. Library catalogue usually consists of useful data for the library users. They are bibliographic description, subject analysis, classification number, and information of physical preparation for the shelf. A trained librarian has to perform a wide range of tasks. Such a librarian is known as a cataloguer.
Cataloguers
The cataloguers are entering information about the publication i.e. the book into the library catalogue. By this way the users can find what they are looking for, if they go in search of required information.
Catalogue cards
The library catalogue holds the collection of a library materials, printed, typed, or handwritten on catalogue cards. Each card shows a bibliographic unit in the collection. The standard catalogue card is actually 7.5cm x 12.5cm in size. Catalogue cards are alphabetically filed in a single sequence (dictionary catalogue). In some library, the catalogue cards are separately filed by the author, title, and subject (divided catalogue). Both are arranged in a particular drawers of a filing cabinet, which is usually made up of wood.
Online cataloguing
Nowadays, most libraries in the world have changed their old card catalogues to machine-readable format. It is the result of the rise of MAchine Readable Cataloguing (MARC) standards in the 1960s. Thus, online cataloguing has greatly developed the usability of catalogues. Online catalogue consists of a collection of bibliographic records in machine-readable format. It kept on a certain computer that provides easy access via terminals in direct connection with the central point. Most online catalogues can be simply search-able by author, title, subject headings and keywords. Generally most libraries, public or academic, are globally provided with free public access. It is also synonymous with Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC).
An “online catalogue” has the meaning similar to “online card catalogue”. It is indeed no catalogue cards on the computer. Card refers only to the medium as a usual catalogue.
What Information
Main information is put into the catalogue. There are three important descriptions such as:
Bibliographic information, i.e. author, title, edition, publisher, and date.
Physical information, i.e. size, number of pages, illustrations, bibliography and/ or index; format.
Subject information.
Moreover, assignment of classification notation. It is essentially used what classification scheme is. Other data concerned with physical preparation of the item for the shelf are also shown. These are the elements of description. An accurate punctuation is put to maintain the International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD).
Aim well in cataloguing
The cataloguer has at last achieved his goal of cataloguing a book on the library patrons. The purpose of cataloguing is:
- to make a user find a book of which either_ [1] the author, [2] the title, [3] the subject_is known;
- to show what the library has_[1] by a given author, [2] on a given subject, [3] in a given works;
- to help in the selection of a book_[1] as to bibliographic edition, [2] as to literary character.
Posted by Junk Guy
