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Cataloging and Classification

Written by Athena Salaba,Lois Mai Chan

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791 pages, about 16 hours of reading

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About this book

"The new edition of this essential work has raised the bar on an already excellent text about cataloguing." - Library Journal, Starred Review The fifth edition of the classic Cataloging and Classification covers the analysis and representation of methods used in describing, organizing, and providing access to resources made available in or through libraries. Since the last edition, there have new developments in cataloging, with the introduction of the IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM) and the new, official RDA, following the 3R Project. This text presents the essence of library cataloging and classification in terms of four basic functions: descriptive cataloging, authority work, subject access, and classification. Within this framework, content has been re-organized, all chapters have been rewritten, and new chapters have been introduced to incorporate the changes that have occurred during the interval between the four and fifth editions. In each part, the historical development and underlying principles of the retrieval mechanism at issue are treated first, because these are considered essential to an understanding of cataloging and classification. Discussion and examples of provisions in the standards and tools are then presented to illustrate the operations covered in each chapter. Divided into seven parts-a general overview; record production and structure, encoding formats, and metadata records; RDA (original and official); subject access and controlled vocabularies; the organization of library resources; encoding & records of bibliographic and authority data; and cataloging ethics--this book includes lists of the standards and tools used in the preparation and processing of cataloging records covered, lists of RDA elements, and sample records. Its companion website with interactive learning activities and supplementary materials located at catclassintro.org make it a true multimedia tool.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Cataloging and Classification, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 80 hours
  • advanced
  • informative
  • instructive
  • detailed

The fifth edition of "Cataloging and Classification" by Athena Salaba and Lois Mai Chan is a foundational academic text that meticulously covers the principles and practices of organizing library resources. It provides an in-depth exploration of descriptive cataloging, authority work, subject access, and classification, integrating the latest developments such as the IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM) and the new, official RDA. The book emphasizes both the historical evolution and underlying principles of retrieval mechanisms, serving as an essential guide for students and professionals in library and information science. Its comprehensive structure, updated content, and multimedia companion make it a definitive resource for understanding modern cataloging standards.

The analysis and representation of methods used in describing, organizing, and providing access to resources made available in or through libraries.

Key themes

Information Organization and Retrieval
This is the overarching theme, exploring the systematic processes (descriptive cataloging, subject analysis, classification) by which information resources are structured and made discoverable. It delves into the theory and practice of creating consistent and coherent systems that facilitate user access.
Standardization and Interoperability
The theme of standardization emphasizes the critical role of common rules, models, and encoding formats in ensuring consistency, quality, and the ability to exchange bibliographic data across different systems and institutions. It covers the evolution and impact of international standards on global information access.
Access and User Experience
At its core, cataloging is driven by the goal of facilitating user access to information. This theme explores how cataloging decisions directly impact a user's ability to discover, identify, select, and obtain resources. It emphasizes a user-centered approach to designing and implementing information retrieval systems.

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How have the IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM) and the official RDA transformed the landscape of cataloging since previous standards?

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