CATALOGING OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT

Functions The Cataloging Department is responsible for cataloging materials for the main as well as satellite libraries of the Community Center (CCL), Research Institute, College of Environmental Design, College of Industrial Management, and others. Materials cataloged represent almost everything the library owns such as, books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, maps, technical reports, theses and dissertations, and computer files. Cataloging operations encompass: the identification and description of an item based on Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR), determining subject concept or concepts covered by the intellectual contents of the item; assigning appropriate subject headings from the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) list; building up classification numbers from the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system, maintaining consistency in the use of names, uniform titles, and subjects through determining their correct forms and linking them to their incorrect, older and related forms with cross-references by consulting LC Authorities. Local class numbers have been developed for classifying theses and dissertations, microforms, videotapes, electronic resources, and the CCL materials. The use of these tools helps us in maintaining a quality online catalog and our records can be easily exchanged with those of other libraries. In addition, a procedures manual is available online through the COD home page at Cod Home Page. It is basically used for training new catalogers and for consulting local policies and procedures.