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 * Cataloging Policy**

LIS 60624: Cataloging for School Library Media Centers

Spring 2010, Dr. Harper

I. Mission Statement: The Brendle High School Library is an integral instructional partner in BHS. Its mission is to support the school’s academic programs by providing timely, equal access to the quality resources needed by students and staff. The library is devoted to teaching and enhancing vital 21st century skills such as information literacy, media literacy, cooperative learning, and reading for comprehension and pleasure.

II. Description of the Library and its Patrons: BHS Library serves a diverse student population of approximately 1000 students in grades 9 to 12 from the neighborhoods surrounding Brendle, Ohio. The facility has approximately 12,000 books, 300 AV materials, 40 periodicals, 2 newspapers, and 20 pieces of realia. The library hosts a computer lab with 25 Dell computers connected to color and black and white printers. The collection’s focus is curricular, and all materials are selected using the BHS Library Selection Policy. Follett’s Destiny program was installed in 2005, and all records were upgraded to standard MARC records.

III. Processing: A. Invoices and packaging must be checked carefully to insure that all ordered materials were received. Problems should be reported to the payment department immediately. B. New purchases will come with vendor catalog cards and will be prepared for the shelf by the librarian and/or the assistant. 1. Materials will be stamped with the school stamp on the inside front cover. 2. Bar codes will be affixed on the back cover in the right hand corner. The bar codes will be added to the computer system during cataloging. 3. Certain books will be covered with (?) to make them more durable; this is per the discretion of the librarian. 4. All removable paper inserts (directions, etc.) must be photocopied and stored in the file cabinet. The photocopied versions will be included with the item. 5. Magazines will be put into plastic covers before shelving. C. Donated items will be accepted per the Acquisitions Policy: Donations, Section IIb. Donated items will be checked for condition and either processed or discarded per Donation Policy. Items will be stamped, bar coded, and cataloged with copy or original cataloging as needed.

IV. Descriptive Cataloging: A. AACR2 will be the authority used. Every attempt should be made to stay current with changes made to these rules. A print copy of the rules is located in the librarian’s professional library and should be updated as needed. B. All records must be at Level 2 using AACR2. C. MARC format will be the standard. D. MARC records provided by the vendors will be used as first authority. These records must be assessed for accuracy and completeness. The licensed SLMS can make corrections and additions as needed. E. When the item does not come with a MARC record, the librarian will copy a record from another source in this order: 1. the union catalog, 2. the Library of Congress, or 3. any appropriate source with qualified catalogers. F. Additions to the MARC records are as follows: 1. Tag 520 must be added to provide patrons with information about the item that is not explicit otherwise. This summary note should indicate possible usage. 2. Tag 521 should use indicator d for grades 9 -12. Each school in the district is required to include target audience as the district has a union catalog. 3. Tag 658 should indicate the curriculum standards related to the material. This tag information should include careful wording to match the teachers’ terminology. 4. Tag 586 should be used for the following fiction awards: Printz Award, Alex Award, and Pulitzer Prize. 5. Tag 300, indicator e, should be utilized to indicate an item has additional materials that may be useful. G. Original cataloging may be done for items without an existing or discovered record.

V. Subject Headings A. Sears Subject Headings will be used to insure consistency and authority control. B. The vendor SH will be used. The librarian may add additional Sears subject headings as needed to increase access based on patron terminology. C. For original cataloging, the librarian must consult the Sears list and may include as many headings as needed to maximize patron access.

VI. Classification A. Non-fiction will be classified using the Dewey Decimal Classification system to insure consistency and authority control. Therefore, the MARC record must use tag 082 to indicate the DDC. A copy of //The Abridged Dewey// is to be kept in the librarian’s professional library. The librarian can also consult WebDewey. 1. Classify to two places beyond the decimal unless it necessary to move three places. 2. Cutter numbers will be the first three letters of the author’s last name. B. Biographies will be shelved alphabetically by subject name. 1. The letters BIO will precede the first letter of the subject’s last name. C. Fiction will be shelved alphabetically by author name. 1. The letters FIC will precede the first letter of the author’s name. D. The letters REF will indicate reference materials. DDC will be used for these items. E. Classification and genre stickers will be placed on the binding. A clear plastic tape should be placed over the stickers to protect them from wear. F. Serials will be alphabetized by title and shelved in the serial shelving.