Standard Cataloging for School and Public Libraries

by Jean Weihs, Jean Weihs

Sheila S. 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.

Genres: Nonfiction, School, Textbooks

296 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

Reviews

[Aleya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally finished it! I realized while reading this (and taking my Cataloging class) that I do not like cataloging. This book was alright. It had good information but I didn't really use it to help my homework. I found my teacher's powerpoints to be better than this. At least it's done.

[Joshua · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book serves a role and a purpose and I want to begin this review with the positive by saying that I'm glad there is a text for cataloging.

Now, having said that, this book did little to actually help me appreciate and understand the process and purpose of cataloging, and I suspect it's because much of what it had to offer I already knew. I work in a library where my supervisor taught me the basics of the cataloging system, and over the last year, I've been working on cataloging our local history and genealogy room. I thought that this book would help me, but it did not. The writing dense to the point of being near incomprehensible at times, there doesn't appear to be a solid organization, it bounces between trying to be a history of cataloging and a practical guide. What can be said in the books favor is that it provides visual examples of what catalog fields and actual MARC systems look like visually, but even then it doesn't provide a good enough context so that these examples seem relevant and applicable.

Cataloging is hard enough already, and as computers are revolutionizing library catalogs the world over, books about beginning a catalog, or else books designed to give the total facts need to to be approachable tools for librarians and library employees and this book did not deliver that.

In the end my real world experience, and having a great supervisor who had training already helped me far more. But like I said, I am glad that a contemporary book exists, even if it's not everything I wanted it to be.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea if the book was good or not. It seemed good, but it didn't help me understand cataloging any better, which was disappointing. I still suck at cataloging. I may be a little less-worse, but not by much. There's a lot of information, but I don't understand most of it. Is it more user error (me) than writer error (book)? No idea. I feel like this book properly exposed me to cataloging information, but didn't help me learn any of it. 2.5* rounded down.

[SaraKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a textbook—especially in a dry topic like cataloging—this one was good and easy to read. I felt like everything was described in a very clear way and very understandably. Each chapter was pretty short and didn’t cover too much and included extensive figures to show the content in action. This book delves deeply into the theory behind classification and cataloging and is not a practical manual.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think there are many improvements that could be made in the examples given and their accompanying illustrations. This is the sole reason I’m unable to rate it 3 or higher. It detracts from the text itself and the ability to use it as reference. There many tools and information online that are easier to navigate and clearer in their explanation than this text.

[Christy Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I now get cataloging.

[Kandrea Cheney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bleh... so boring. I do not feel that this book contributed much to my success in the course.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a college class. I enjoyed parts of it. Good for those who are studying to be school Librarians.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This thing reads like stereo instructions.

[Angelica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so dry!!! It was very difficult to get through! It makes a great sleep aid- you can read it and it will bore you to sleep or you can smack your head with it and knock yourself out! :)

[J. S. Seebauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I found this book an easy read while presenting all the details of cataloging. As we all know the details and rules of cataloing are way too dificult, this books makes it easy to understand.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for the cataloging class I was taking. It is definitely informative.

[A-b Saorah]

this book view very important information's that the librarian need

[Laura]

ok .... not word for word read.

[Erikka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad textbook. Offers general info on cataloging without getting overly technical. Readable, which is surprising.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I did actually read all of this book!!! Highly theoretical and thorough if you are studying cataloging. Covers both American and Canadian cataloging practices.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry but informative.

Read for Organization of Information.