Standard Cataloging for School and Public Libraries, 4th Edition [Paperback]

Jean Weihs (Author), Sheila S. Intner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1591583780 | ISBN-13: 978-1591583783 | Publication Date: September 30, 2007 | Edition: 4th

In the four years since the last edition came out, there have been new editions of nearly every cataloging rule and tool to which it refers: the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Library of Congress Subject Headings, Sears List of Subject Headings, and Dewey Decimal Classification, to name a few. As only they can, Sheila Intner and Jean Weihs lead the wary and unwary alike, to apply them with competence if not aplomb. Through hundreds of examples, they illustrate cataloging problems and their solutions; they also describe and explain a variety of management decisions, the pros and cons of cataloging alternatives, and the rudiments of how to run a catalog department. They have even included a new chapter on metadata, as well as enlarged sections of practical advice on how to deal with changed subject headings and classification numbers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"…Evidence, say Intner and Weihs, 'that catalogers working in local libraries and media centres can anticipate taking more, not less, responsibility for organizing their materials. They may also be expected to assume a larger share of the work on standards and policies in a new multi-institutional model of librarianship in cataloguing and classification. In a distributed leadership environment, knowledgeable librarians and media specialists at the grassroots level will be especially important'. You have been warned - now buy the book! Starting with the 'functions of the catalog' and the need to conform to standard practice, the authors lead the reader to the decisions that need to be made in relation to descriptive cataloguing, subject cataloguing, classification, call number assignment and encoding for computer input. These elements are then considered in more detail in separate chapters."

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Library Journal

"This guide keeps getting better and better as a concise guide to the process of cataloging, from description to classification to subject headings of print and multimedia materials. It is useful as a text for beginning cataloging classes and as one for personal study."

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Teacher Librarian

". . . the general principles remain sound and for North American libraries, and others for whom these standards apply, this is an excellent instructional primer."

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Library Review

"…recommended as a useful resource for a cataloger with some experience and wanting to improve knowledge of the background and context of cataloging and to consolidate understanding of the application of cataloguing rules and use of the cataloging tools, or as a reference tool on specific aspects of cataloging. It would be especially useful for sole catalogers working in a smaller library or for librarians for whom cataloging forms only a part of their job. The book would also be a useful read for any library manager seeking improved understanding of both the background to, and the practical process of, cataloging."

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Library Collections, Acquisitions, & Technical Services

Book Description

A pair of Margaret Mann Citation winners + the classic cataloging text for practicing librarians = an excellent reason to celebrate a new edition!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited; 4th edition (September 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591583780
• ISBN-13: 978-1591583783
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Education & Reference > Publishing & Books > Bibliographies & Indexes

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Standard Cataloging, September 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Standard Cataloging for School and Public Libraries, 3rd Edition (Hardcover)

This is the worst text I have ever read. There's a distinct difference between being difficult to read and understand and being completely uncomprehensible. This book is the latter.

The authors assume that before reading this book the reader has vast knowledge of the subject matter. It is completely inadequate for the beginning cataloger. Even the examples confuse rather than enlighten. The background information and the basic explanations are missing.

I bought this book solely because it was a required text for a introduction to cataloging class. I find it hard to believe that the professor read this book before requiring students purchase it. I would recommend that in the future students band together as a class and demand the professor choose another book.

I would have liked to rate this book as a minus zero.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Standard Cataloging Book Review, August 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Standard Cataloging for School and Public Libraries, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

I have rated the Standard Cataloging textbook with 2 stars. The information was not "user-friendly" for someone that has never cataloged before. I needed to read the text twice to fully understand what the author meant. The examples were very hard to follow. Each example gave the contents of the examples with bullets, however, for someone that does not know what a CIP data is or looks like, it is difficult to determine which line consists of the CIP data (for example). It would be helpful to have corresponding numbers to match the example given. Then, the information written in the text would make more sense.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Review of Standard Cataloging for School and Public Librarie, August 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Standard Cataloging for School and Public Libraries, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

This textbook in my opinion deserves only one star. It was difficult to read and understand. I had to read other books to get an understanding of simple concepts presented in the textbook. My understanding of cataloging was not helped at all by reading this textbook.