Lesson 6 - Machine Readable Cataloguing (MARC)

Part A:

I found all the marc records for each of the books; the MARC record for Nick Sharratt's book, Muddlewitch Does Magic Tricks, took me quite a while to find. I went over each title page and verso. I did this before I read the assigned reading, but it seemed to make sense to me. I tried to find each item on the title page or verso. I still have questions about a few lines in each MARC records. I finally found some quiet time to make sense of the readings. I took the first book, The Tale of Despereaux, and made notes on the MARC record as I read over the material. Ready to give an attempt.

Part B:
See, Lisa. (2005). Snow flower and the secret fan. New York: Random House.

My version of a MARC record:

020 $a9780812968064 (pbk.)
092 01 $aSEE
100 1 $aSee, Lisa.
245 10 $a Snow flower and the secret fan : $ba novel / $cLisa See.
260 $aNew York : $bRandom House Trade Paperbacks, $c2005.
300 $a269p. ; $c21 cm.
520 $aA story of friendship set in nineteenth-century China follows an elderly woman and her companion as they communicate their hopes, dreams, joys, and tragedies through a unique secret language.
650 0 $aReminiscing in old age $vFiction.
650 0 $aFemale friendship $vFiction.
650 0 $aWomen $zChina $vFiction.
650 0 $aMarried women $vFiction.
650 0 $aOlder women $vFiction.
650 0 $aFootbinding $vFiction.
650 0 $aChildbirth $vFiction.
650 0 $aSecrecy $vFiction.
650 0 $aChina $vFiction.
651 0 $aChina $vFiction.

MARC record:
020 $a9780812968064 (pbk.) is actually
020 $a1400060281 (alk. paper) --I could not find this ISBN number in the book.

260 I included Trade Paperbacks; it is ommitted from the MARC record. The mark record has $cc2005--I only put one c.

300 MARC record has a different physical description than I did--300 $a258p. ; $c25 cm.

The MARC record did not include the 520 tag at all.

I have no idea what 596 $aBHBR means; I also looked for those letters in The Tale of Despereaux and could not find them.

650 tags are correct, except that I forgot the letter v for Fiction and z for China. I had to look them up.

I did not include tags 010 035 082 655 655 and 948.

I wrote the MARC record out on a piece of paper before typing it out here. There are many rules for each tag, first and second indicators, and delimiters. It makes sense to me that it is a lot shorter and takes up less space by using symbols rather than writing the whole word out, such as tag 260: place of publication, publisher, and year of publication. I can also see how knowing the tag helps the teacher-librarian search for items for students. For instance, since my books are organized by genre, I would check the 650 tags before going to a certain genre to find a book. In order to tackle assignment 2, I need a template of the most-used tags etc. I see that I better get cracklelacken.

What I found from searching the information on the title page and the verso is that it is not easy to find MARC records for each book. Also, there are several places to find MARC records. It is impossible for one place to house all the MARC records for every book. There is also a lot to MARC records that I did not find on the tile pages or the verso. As creating MARC records is so time-consuming, I am glad we have a DRC because I am not sure how One caould find the time to do this and the many other tasks that a TL is required to do.

Lesson 5 - Cataloguing process and standards

Lesson 5: Cataloguing process and standards

I chose the following sources because they were selected for specific units studied in the library last week (teachers asked me to pull materials for their classes) for making brochures, PowerPoints, essays, or research projects. I searched the Kelly Road Secondary Library catalogue for the catalogue record. Then, I looked up the first two items in the Prince George Public Library catalogue. I did not find the other items, probably because they are educational material. There is a huge difference between the two catalogues.

Book #1
Oldershaw, Cally. Firefly Guide to Gems. Toronto: Firefly Books, 2003. Print.
Area 1:
Call number - 553.8 OLD
Author - Personal Author: Oldershaw, Cally
Title – Title: Firefly guide to gems / Cally Oldershaw.
Area 2:
Not present
Area 3:
Not present
Area 4:
Publication info: Toronto : Firefly Books, c2003.
Area 5:
Physical descrip: 224p. : col. Ill. ; 20 cm.
Area 6:
Not present
Area 7:
General Note: Includes index.
Abstract: A guide to the identification, structure, and uses of precious and semi-precious stones, novelty stones, agates, and crystals.
Subject term: Precious stones.
Subject term: Crystals.
Area 8:
ISBN: 1552978141 (pbk.)
The information in the KRSS school library catalogue is very short and to the point. The information in the Prince George Public Library is very extensive and thorough. For example, in addition to a picture of the book, there are links to find more about the author; find more about the topic; and find nearby items on the shelf. Also there is a link to the MARC Record. There is a link to read more about this item, with four icons underneath which read review; summary; Library Journal review; and excerpt. Typing in the title, I got this book as the first result.
Book #2
Peterson, James. Baking: 350 recipes and techniques, 1500 photographs, one baking education. New York: Ten Speed Press, 2009. Print.
Area 1:
Call number - 641.815 PET
Title – Baking
Author – Peterson, James
Area 2:
Not present
Area 3:
Not present
Area 4:
Publication info: Berkeley : Ten Speed Press, c2009.
Area 5:
Physical descript: xv, 378 p. : col. Ill. ; 29 cm.
Area 6:
Not present
Area 7:
General Note: Includes index
Abstract: Offers a step-by-step instructional for baking the best-loved basics as well as new and fresh versions of pies, tarts, cakes, cookies, pastries, and breads.
Subject term: Baking.
Area 8:
ISBN: 9781580089913
ISBN: 1580089917
The information in the KRSS library catalogue is very short and to the point. The Prince George Public Library includes a picture. When I typed in the title, Baking, I got 159 results; this book was on page 4 of the results, the third entry down. The Prince George Public Library added the subtitle from the jacket cover to the title, [350 recipes and techniques, 1500 photographs, one baking education}. Another difference in the catalogue record is that they have New York as the place of publication instead of Berkeley. They also included First Edition. I looked on the verso of the book and New York is the place of publication and it says First Edition.
Source #3:
Scathed. Odd Squad Production. Mississauga, ON: McNabb Connolly, 2007. DVD.
Area 1:
Call number: DVD 362.299 SCA
Title: Scathed [videorecording].
Odd Squad Productions.
Area 2:
Not present
Area 3:
1 videodisc (DVD) (27 min.)
Area 4:
Publication info: Vancouver, BC ; Odd Squad Productions ; Mississauga, ON : McNabb Connolly [distributor], c2007.
Area 5:
Physical descrip: 1 videodisc (DVD) (27 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 ¾ in.
Area 6:
Not present
Area 7:
Abstract: Online support material> Using testimonials from users, police officers, and parents, this video outlines the personal, social, psychological and physical consequences of crystal meth use. In its attempt to dissuade adolescents from using crystal meth, the video employs explicit images and descriptions as it conveys the personal stories of young users. From the makers of ‘Through a Blue Lens’, this well-done film will have an impact. Note: Highly graphic in nature. Must be previewed before showing and must be debriefed with students after viewing. Graphic images of a disturbing nature and strong language, though appropriate to the context, require warning before showing. Suitability: Grade 8, 9 Health and Career Education.
Audience: Level: J.S., S.S.
Subject term: Methamphetamine abuse—British Columbia.
Subject term: Amphetamine abuse—British Columbia.
Subject term: Youth—Drug use—British Columbia.
Subject term: Ice (Drug)
Added Author: Old Squad Productions.
Added Author: McNab & Connolly.
Area 8:
Key: CANA18504577
Source #4:
In the Shadow of Gold Mountain. National Film Board of Canada. Montreal Quebec: National Film Board, 2005. DVD.
Area 1:
Call number: DVD 971.004 INT
Title: In the shadow of Gold Mountain [videorecording] / National Film Board.
Author: Cho, Karen
Area 2:
Not present
Area 3:
1 videodisc (DVD) (43 min.)
Area 4:
Publication info: Montreal, Quebec. : National Film Board, 2005.
Area 5:
Physical descrip: 1 videodisc (DVD) (43 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 ¾ in.
Area 6:
Not present
Area 7:
Performer: Written and directed by Karen Cho.
Abstract: 43 min. closed-captioned, with teacher’s guide. Personal narratives convey the history of Chinese immigration, the payment of the head tax and the Exclusion Act. Discrimination faced by immigrants in urban settings is also discussed. Moving accounts by those who endured these indignities and by their relatives create a disturbing picture of a controversial period in Canadian immigration history. Archival photographs and footage of the goldrush and railroad construction add interest. Suitability: Grade 10, 11 Social Studies.
Subject term: Chinese Canadians—History.
Subject term: Ethnic attitudes—Canada—History.
Added author: Cho, Karen.
Added Author: National Film Board of Canada.
Area 8:
key: CANA17299043
Source #5
The Lottery, and a discussion of “The Lottery.” Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, 1969. Videocassette.
Area 1:
VR 808.3 LOT
Title: The Lottery, and the discussion of “The lottery” [videorecording].
Area 2:
Not present
Area 3:
1 videocassette (28 min.)
Area 4:
Publication info: Chicago : Encyclopedia Britannica, c1969.
Area 5:
Physical descrip: 1 videocassette (28 min.) : sd., col. ; ½ in.
Area 6:
Series Title: (Short-story showcase)
Area 7:
A group of decent ordinary families gather to perform the annual lottery ritual. Ceremony accentuates its brutality and senselessness—man’s inhumanity to man. Suitability: Grade 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Language Arts, CAPP.
Audience: Level: J.S., S.S.
Subject term: Sociology.
Subject term: Human Behavior.
Subject term: Violence.
Area 8:
key: 00012823


Overall, the items matched what was in the record with the exception of Berkeley as the place of publication instead of New York for the Baking book. I liked the Prince George Public Library's addition of a picture and all the informational links to encourage the reader to look further into the resource. One question I have: "Why does the video and DVDs have 'key' and a number rather than an ISBN number?"
The school libraries differ a lot from the public libraries in that there is a lot more information to access. This is probably due to cuts and time-saving strategies in education.

Lesson 5 - Accessing Data

Favorite nursery rhymes from Mother Goose illustrated by Scott Gustafson, 2007.

Students and teachers would access data from the above mentioned title by typing in the subject term "nursery rhymes" or "Mother Goose" or "Children's poetry." I do not think they would use "Scott Gustafson" unless they are familiar with other illustrated books of his. Many times students come to the library and they will ask for a book, usually by the title, or author, or series. Students also ask for books about a subject, so I would say that the bibliographic record for the above book is very useful for teachers and students. There is also a picture which is very helpful for younger students.

Connors, David. 2008. "A Ghost in the Catalog: The Gradual Obsolescence of the Main Entry". The Serials Librarian, 55:1, 85 - 97.

Although main entry had a time and place when it was useful, it is clear from reading Connor's article that many librarians are resistant to change, and that with the ever-growing "electronic environment," the main entry is no longer needed as Arlene Taylor in Wynar's Introduction to Cataloging and Classification states: "This [main entry] is an obsolete concept in online catalogs." Readers and searchers access material in a number of ways. At one point in history when everything was written down, I could see saving time, money, and energy and a lot of writing by using a main entry card. This reminds me of looking up a word in the dictionary and you find the word you are looking for and the entry says, see such and such a word--kind of like a merry-go-round. As important as main entry serving as the primary access point was at one time, it is now time to move on to a system that can access many points depending on the user, such as the current OPAC system--you do not need the main entry term to access a resource in the catalogue. OPAC searches the 1XX and the 7XX fields indiscriminately. I definitely see a need for an organized system of searching.

Checking out the various catalogues, such as school libraries and public libraries--Prince George and Vancouver--it is interesting to note the differences. The school libraries are short and to the point. There is so much more offered when searching in a public library. I wonder if the public library system has so much more money to spend than the school libraries. There is so many more links to check out when conducting a public library search. There were few discrepancies when searching out the same books at both sites; however, I really liked the public library format because it used pictures along with other useful links.

One important point that I learned in this lesson is that it is important to catalogue with as many details as you can and be as accurate as you can; it is too time-consuming to correct an entry later on down the road. If there is inaccurate information added to a catalogue entry, then others may copy the inaccurate info making a huge mess of the cataloguing system.

Lesson 4 - Cataloguing Introduction

A few teachers asked why me I needed to take ten courses about becoming a teacher-librarian. I should just show them the cataloguing glossaries. My head is spinning with all of these terms and technology. I hope I can get through this course because all of this information seems so overwhelming (as if the many search engines and directories topic didn't get my head swelling with new information). Off topic here.

I don't know which was more fun: actually reading the definitions or reading the discussion posts. Even though we did not have to post anything this week, it was pretty fun to read and I do not think anyone could resist posting the weird terms. This was a good assignment after reading about Search Engines to give our mind a break.

I was under the impression that The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is 13 digits now because there are so many entries that they ran out of 10 digit combinations.