RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT:

The Cataloging Department is responsible for the creation, the maintenance, the indexing, and the integrity of the Karrmann Library Catalog. The library catalog provides access to the holdings of the library such as books, titles of periodicals, microforms, audio-visual materials, musical recordings, government documents, and computer materials such as CD-ROMs. The library catalog, via bibliographic records, will provide the following information to the patron:

  1. A. -a description of the physical item including author, title, publisher, copyright date, and the extent of the item
  2. B. -analysis of the item's content by the Department, and the assigning of Library of Congress subject headings (a standardized, controlled vocabulary)
  3. C. -classification of the item (assigning a call number to the item) using the Library of Congress classification scheme, and Dewey Decimal System.
  4. D. -indicates the location of the item within the library to the patron, the status of an item (is the item on the shelves, on order, or is it checked out to another patron), and the due date if applicable.

The assigning of subject headings enables the patron to locate library materials by a subject search. The assigning of a classification number will draw like materials together on the shelf thus permitting the patron to browse the shelves in a particular classification number.

Return to Top

Reporting ERRORS in Online Card Catalog

If you are searching the library catalog, and you find a mispelling or something questionable in a bibliographic record please notify the librarian who is working at the Reference Desk and they will forward the information to Jessica Donahoe.

Return to Top

Catalog Department Hours

Academic school year - 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Summer break period - 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Return to Top

Catalog Department Personnel

Staff

Jessica Donahoe - Cataloging Coordinator
(608) 342-1348
donahoej@uwplatt.edu

Beth Vaassen - Library Assistant Advanced
(608) 342-1643
vaassen@uwplatt.edu

Student employees

The students are responsible for the physical processing of library materials, alphabetizing and filing shelflist cards into the shelflist catalog, mending and repair of library materials and the physical withdrawal of library materials from the collection. Students also work on miscellaneous projects as they are assigned.

The Cataloging Department generally has two student workers during the academic year, and one student worker during the summer session. The department also has a special projects student worker.

Return to Top

Cataloging Tools and Resources on the Internet

Library of Congress Resources
Library of Congress Cataloging Page
Library of Congress Page
USMARC Page

OCLC RESOURCES
OCLC Page
USMARC code lists from OCLC
OCLC's Bibliographic Formats and Standards
OCLC Technical Bulletins
Duplicate record form for OCLC
Change request form for OCLC

ORGANIZATIONS
Special Libraries Cataloging
North American Serials Interests Group
Marcive
Wils
Wisconsin Library Association
Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians

FORMAT INTEGRATION
Expanded Definition of USMARC Leader/06: Type of Record
OCLC Technical Bulletin #212 (Format Integration)

CATALOGING INTERNET RESOURCES
InterCat (resource for cataloging electronic resources)
Cataloging Electronic Resources: A Manual and Practical Guide
Development of CONSER Cataloging Policies for Remote Access Computer File Serials
Field 856 guidelines
Cataloger's Reference Shelf

Return to Top

Current Awareness Tools for Cataloging

Technical Services Unlimited
Formerly known as The Top 200 Technical Services Benefits of Home Page Development

OCLC Technical Bulletins
Subject Headings Weekly Lists

Return to Top

If you have questions, concerns, suggestions, or should happen to discover one of the links above is not connecting to the site please contact Jessica Donahoe.