I have found this discussion of cataloging an interesting one. I would
like to point out a few things:
First, because someone is a library assistant does not mean that one
should assume that one cannot catalog a book. If you are cataloging
books for the Library of Congress then you need to be an expert. This
person needs advice on how to find out about software and to learn how
to use it. There are tons of articles out there that can help, plus the
collective knowledge of this group. Hiring a "professional" librarian
(as opposed to a nonprofessional librarian?) or outsourcing may not be
in the budget for a small law library. This person knows her collection
and by judging from her request, she is willing to learn. FYI, I use
In-Magic at my firm. What are other small law libraries using? Please
pass that on to Ms. Murphy.
Second, this person is cataloging for a small library. The basic rule
of thumb (that I was taught in library school) is that you may (and I
emphasis may) catalog for your audience. IOW, the catalog records do not
have to be too terribly detailed as long as the users can identify and
find the material (which Ms. Murphy stated in her request). That is not
to say that the entries should be sloppy or not created within the
cataloging rules, but lots of details are not necessary.
Third, this person has just asked a pile of experts on ways to help her
out. You catalogers out there probably know good books to use for basic
cataloging (I do copy cataloging using local online resources and it
suits our needs just fine; is it "perfect"? No, does it get the job
done? Yes). There are lots of articles on evaluating software, the
archives of this list will have responses, and those of you who have
recently done this can certainly be of help.
Fourth, I do want to say that if the budget allows outsourcing, hiring a
temporary librarian or even the opportunity to take a cataloging course
(perhaps from an online institution?) then that is still the best way to
go. However, as many of us know, library monetary resources are often
not enough to do what is ideal, so we must do the next best thing.
Good luck, Joy!
Louise A. Jensen
Law Librarian
Drummond, Woodsum & MacMahon
245 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04104-5081
ljensen@dwmlaw.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Edrington, Dru [mailto:dru.edrington@puc.state.tx.us]
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 6:15 PM
To: NKFrye@jud.ca.gov; Joy Murphy; law-lib@ucdavis.edu
Subject: RE: advice for a small law library
I'll add my amen to the previous replies encouraging you to get help
from an experienced source. The City Attorney is representative of most
lay people (and unfortunately many non-cataloging librarians) that think
"How hard could it be to catalog a book?" Doing it right requires
considerable intellectual effort. I worked with a student not long ago
who said he had no idea that so many steps were required to catalog a
book. Ironically, he was involved in only the processing of the items,
not the cataloging. There are many resources available for outsourcing
of this type of project, which is not as good as doing it in-house, but
may be a viable alternative for your attorney.
Dru Edrington
Public Utility Commission Library
PO Box 13326
1701 N. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78711-3326
512-936-7075
512-936-7079 (fax)
Dru.edrington@puc.state.tx.us
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