[OPLINLIST] Question for Catalogers (where to classify books about ISIS; state of cataloging at Libray of Congress)

[MCCUTCHEON, SEVIM]

Susan,


1.       There are several avenues one could look into to confirm or correct Dewey classification numbers.  Probably the easiest and most effective way for a non-cataloger to get an answer for the occasional cataloging question is to subscribe to TSLIBRARIANS.  This is a discussion list for Ohio Technical Services people in public, special, and academic libraries.  Many of them would have access to the Dewey schedules and could look classification numbers up. You can subscribe here: http://www.lsoft.com/SCRIPTS/WL.EXE?SL1=TSLIBRARIANS&H=LISTSERV.KENT.EDU



2.       No, ISIS/ISIL is not an offshoot or branch of Islam.  So a call number in the 297s is very unlikely to be appropriate.  Something in the 900s (for current events plus historical phenomenon) or the 360s for things affecting societies both seem far more appropriate. (Switching from my librarian hat to my Middle Eastern major hat now, with a bit of personal opinion thrown in: )  ISIS/ISIL is a group of people who are Muslim who are intent on claiming territory and committing violent acts to consolidate power.   They want others to think that they represent Islam and all Muslims, because they think it will legitimize their actions on the world stage (Arabic speakers who do not sympathize with ISIS purposely call them by an acronym in Arabic (DAESH) that sounds like an insult in Arabic. If interested, see http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/10/09/words-matter-isis-war-use-daesh/V85GYEuasEEJgrUun0dMUP/story.html). Calling ISIS a branch of Islam, or representative of Islam, would be a little like saying the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which in the past has done its share of violence, is a branch of Catholicism or represents Catholicism.



3.       Is this the article you are referring to? http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/americas-national-library-is-behind-the-digital-curve-a-new-report-finds/2015/03/31/fad54c3a-d3fd-11e4-a62f-ee745911a4ff_story.html

Excerpt from the comment by Gordon M. below the story, “Now, under the "leadership" of the Librarian and his lieutenant, the work is carried out by graduates of the DC school system who have no higher education nor foreign language skills. Moreover, the number of catalogers on staff is miniscule now.” This may very well be what the commenter has observed in his own experience, but I bet there’s more to the story – I am acquainted with some of the catalogers at LC, and they definitely have their MLSs and language skills. So they are not all paraprofessionals with no more than high school diplomas.  I’d like to see a journalist do a comprehensive piece on the cataloging departments’ staffing levels over the years, and the percent of staff who have various education levels/qualifications.

Sevim McCutcheon
Catalog Librarian; Assoc. Prof.
Kent State University Libraries
330-672-1703
Lmccutch at kent.edu

From: oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Susan Pieper
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2015 12:54 PM
To: oplinlist at lists.oplin.org
Subject: [OPLINLIST] Question for Catalogers

Hello all:
Having just read the expose about the Library of Congress (Washington Post, March 31) and a comment stating that professional catalogers may not be used anymore, I have a cataloging question about how to classify a couple of titles.  We have a small browsing collection (less than 70K items system-wide). The books in question are Rise of Isis, the threat we can't ignore; and Isis, the State of Terror. Many libraries have these classified in the 956s. Many in 363s. I think it should be in the 297s. Isn't Isis an offshoot of Islam? Isn't it radicalized Islam? We often reclassify items to fit our local collection, but I am stumped. I thought the 900s were mostly history. Is there a current events area in DDC for the Middle East? I'm befuddled, as per usual when it comes to cataloging for rural libraries (hey, that sounds like a great workshop topic)! I remember in library school, I raised my hand and stated to my professor that I would never have need for the material I was learning in this class. When he asked why?, I answered, "because I will hire someone to catalog for me." Well... seems I did learn something in that class and after 30 years of library experience, I am still questioning some of the modern placements in an antiquated DDC system.
Any advice for our titles in question?
Thanks in advance!
Susan
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Susan Hill Pieper, M.S.L.S.
Director
Paulding County Carnegie Library
205 S Main St, Paulding, Ohio 45879
419-399-2032<tel:419-399-2032> voice 419-399-2114<tel:419-399-2114> fax
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