Cataloging

Okay, I like this stuff.  Have I gone geek-overboard?  It's logical, mostly, and it's far easier to comprehend than any of the old programming languages I learned in a prior century (Basic, RPG, C+).  That was pointless and boring, not fun at all.   The best part of the R&K book for me was Other Free Databases for Copy Cataloging -- it's one of the many pages I've marked so far.

I'm not saying I want to catalog for a living, (sorry BPL), I'm sure it's a thankless job, but in a school library having some simple structure makes it easier on everyone.  The key word here is simple.

Many volunteers and library paras don't understand basic organization of a library, never mind cataloging.  Here's an example of how I think about DDS.

The 3 Dewey numbers make sense if you break it down:

1. first number is main class

2. second number is division

3. third number is section

So, 796 is sports -- 700 is recreation, 90 is sports/games, and 6 is athletic/outdoor.  So if you like outdoor sports (as many kids do), your number is 796.

The volunteers and students probably don't need to know why soccer is 796.334 and baseball is 796.357, but since they are both "ball sports" they are beside each other on the shelf.  That also explains why hockey and figure skating are near each other, ice sports.  

It's pretty obvious that my experience is in elementary schools, but there's no need to get every student overwhelmed by the library before they turn twelve!!!  Basic navigation of the library is what they need, and consistency in cataloging is a given.

I love to debate the cataloging options available with other librarians, though, and I know I have a 50/50 chance of agreeing with them.  That's fine, I'm good with disagreement.  We can argue all day about where to catalog something; collective biographies, story collections, whatever.  But I know where to get the Sears list and the DDCS book if I need them, and I don't think I need to own them.  I have often said I'm not the "perfect librarian" because I won't spend time on the miniscule details of cataloging, but it's still fun in a nerdish way.

So, yes, I'm a Dewey fan, I grew up with it and I accept its failings.  I'm not sure I would do well in a LCC library.  I do not have OCD and I do not lose sleep over cataloging errors I have made (yes, I've made plenty, I stink at topical terms).  I'm also a "copy cataloger", not a true cataloger, but give me a chance, I'm still evolving.