Introduction to Cataloging and Classification

by Arlene G. Taylor

In the latest edition of this classic work, Arlene Taylor once again offers a complete, up-to-date, and practical guide to the world of cataloging and classification. Since the publication of the ninth and ninth-revised editions (2000 and 2004), changes have occurred in almost all areas of the organization of information in general, as well as in cataloging and classification. The 10th edition incorporates the 2002 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition (AACR2) , MARC 21, the 22nd edition of Dewey Decimal Classification, current schedules of the LC Classifications, the latest Library of Congress Subject Headings, and the 18th edition of the Sears List of Subject Headings. In addition, Taylor addresses such vital issues as FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records), FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology), and the Semantic Web. The bibliography and glossary have also been substantially reworked. In fact, only the appendix, which covers arrangement dilemmas and filing rules, remains unchanged.

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Grad School, Reference, Textbooks, School, Read For College

589 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Robert Bussie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have been copy cataloging and original cataloging for over 14 years. I used this book in my graduate class to learn about RDA concepts and FRBR rules. It was not very helpful. The information is redundant and gives very little real world applications for using the information for showing the record displays using MARC.

[Dr. T Loves Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew! This is a thorough book...

[Reba J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate reading about cataloging.

[Amy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This text is incredibly thorough, so if you're looking for the nitty gritty details about learning how to do some cataloging and classification, you've come to the right place!  This book is filled with examples and direct quotations from RDA, and even goes so far as to discuss classification systems that are not common in the United States.  Not only that, but this book offers an overview of some administrative issues that come along with cataloging, from cost, to staffing, to outsourcing--not to mention of course, the upkeep, the changes to LCSH's subject headings, and the expected changes to cataloging as a whole as new means and systems come out.  

Overall, this text is informative, helpful, instructive, and a must-read if you're thinking about becoming a cataloger!

Review cross-listed here!

[Rodeweeks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read large parts of this book for a study module Library and Information Science. Some parts are interesting, other parts are extremely difficult to understand and even more boring. Would I read through the book for fun? Perhaps, but I might still skip over some parts.

[McKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite helpful for all things cataloging

[Carrie Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found reading this book torturous. To be fair, the content is dry to begin with. Taylor does a good job of including relevant information, and she made it as readable as she possibly could. Obviously, I only pick up this book because it was assigned. Reading it and taking a course in cataloging helped me grasp the basics, and I do think every librarian should have this knowledge. But--this text and the course made me realize I would not enjoy copy cataloging. It's tedious and repetitive. I'm glad some people enjoy doing this task, though, 'cause it's gotta be done, and I don't want to do it! :)

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

After owning this book for around five years, I have still only found about 5 pages of the content really helpful. This might have some role as a reference book for beginning catalogers who are still working in AACR2, but it would not serve very well as a text book or tutorial. The text is very dense and formatted in a confusing manner. I had hoped this book would provide a greater range of examples than those offered in the LC Cataloger's Desktop, but the examples are usually terse and often unhelpful. Obviously as more libraries switch to RDA, this book will become increasingly obsolete.

Assigned for the course SLIS 5210 - Organization and Control of Information Resources I

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is comprehensive and full of examples of AACR2 rules. It also describes the virtues and vices of classification schemes like Dewey and LCC; and it outlines important classmarks and MARC fields (though the online MARC descriptions from OCLC and the Library of Congress are far more detailed and updated). But it's short on RDA since it was written around the time that RDA was being developed and tested.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally gave in and bought this 11 weeks into the semester. Planning on permanently keeping it at my desk at work. I'm the kind of person who buys about 3 books a year and borrows the rest. This one is worth the investment, though it certainly doesn't win any prizes for being fun or interesting or easy to read.

[Vittoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the textbook from my class. Not a bad read so far. I was expecting cataloging to be some beast, and although it does require a lot of work, cataloging is natural human work...it is what we do with everything in life to get organized and keep ourselves on track (organizing the kitchen pantry, our cloths, our movie collection, etc.).

[Whitney Robertson]

I chose this book because I think that it may be handy in the future. The books that I read for library science courses were beneficial but I searched online for a better resource with more detailed information. This book sounds like a great introduction to cataloging and classification which will be very beneficial in my future career.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book introduction to AACR2 and other common cataloging rules. If you are a library student who has interest in cataloging this is worth getting. It is also a great reference source if you don't hace access to Catalogers Desktop.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is incredibly detailed and very informative. I read many, many sentences in this book over and over until I understood. The course I took on cataloging was intense, extremely intense and the text did help.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Library of Congress training materials that are available online are a far better resource. Perhaps someone with years of cataloguing experience could interpret this text, but I found it to be dull and unhelpful.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredible resource for cataloging professionals, though there were times when I found it to be repetitive. All the essentials on cataloging history and the standard formats currently used, will be obsolete in a few years when/if BIBFRAME takes off.

[collbrarian · Rating 1 out of 5]

My MLIS required textbooks haven't been fabulous, but this is by far the worst. For a text that is supposedly introductory, it is full of complicated jargon that a true novice doesn't know, repetitive, and just plain too much.

[Elvira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Currently reading. Great book of making sense of MARC21, AACR2 and cataloging books...if that's what your interested in.

[Jean]

I did not read this book for enjoyment. However it served as a very handy reference in completing my cataloging assignments! And I would guess it's one of the better textbooks on the subject.

[Lavina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks, Arlene! Now I know for sure that I don't want to be a cataloger.

[Mp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have learned how to catalog. I have learned that I do not like cataloging.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

For class... obviously. Actually cataloging is kind of fun. Reading about it is not so fun.

[bluetyson]

Introduction to Cataloging and Classification: Tenth Edition (Library and Information Science Text Series) by Arlene G. Taylor (2006)

[Johnny Galt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome if youre into that stuff.

[.keli. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a lot to take in; quite chewy at times. It is so helpful, though, for anyone who wants to be a cataloger, or who just wants to know why catalog records look so funny.

[Crystal Hutchinson]

Very informative. A little outdated, needs a new edition.

[Kellie Mckoin]

I read some of the other reviews of this book and thought it might come in handy one day. So maybe I will read it someday.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adding books from grad school to GR.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for beginning and experienced catalogers. There are great examples and diagrams that illustrate and enrich the text!

[Albert Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a great book i would love to read more