Outside of a Dog

Only 24 more shopping days...

2003-12-02T05:21:43Z

Did you see Madonna on Jay Leno, I think it was Wednesday night? She made another sweeping generalization on how "empty" all children's literature is. Makes me so mad, and also makes you wonder what exactly she was reading to her kids. Anyway, I did a Google search on "madonna jay leno" to see if I could find any commentary, and here's what I came up with. Verrry interesting. For an even more interesting analysis, click on "Charles Manson." One could waste a lot of time on this site.

-- Evil Xu

Public Service Message

2003-11-03T19:56:32Z

Those of you who have subscribed to Baker & Taylor's new AV record service, beware! Last week, I cataloged a cart of videos and DVDs that came with B&T-supplied records. I thought they'd go fast, but they took me most of the day because the records needed so much fixing. Here are some of the "failings" (not errors, exactly, but not good cataloging, either) I've found:

245, subfield ($) c: poor statement of responsibility, usually mentioning only the director and writer. (Optimally, these mention all the production companies and studios involved, as well as producers.)
No 041 tags in DVD records. Also the 546 (language) note does not include mention of foreign languages, and what is subtitled vs. on a language track.
The 260 is often incomplete, failing to mention distributors.
A 500 is used (instead of the preferred 501) to list special DVD features. These are usually incomplete or inaccurate.
No 508 tags (production credits) are used. Generally, the director of photography, editor, production designer, and music composer are listed here.
511 tags are incomplete, listing only the first two or three cast members. The 700s reflect this.
The 520 (abstract) tags are poorly written, with frequent misspellings or other errors.
In 521 tags, only the rating is given. Generally, if reasons for the rating are on the container ("PG, for language and brief nudity"), these should be added to the record.
Subject headings are very general, and not as well-selected as they could be.
710s are not used for corporate authors. Corporate authors are not mentioned anywhere on the record (say, the 245 $c). Why not???
When a work is adapted from a book, there should be a 700 tag with the author's name and a $t with the book title (e.g., $aBabbitt, Natalie.$tTuck everlasting.), NOT a plain 700 with just the author. ($aBabbitt, Natalie.) Also, a 600 tag ($aBabbitt, Natalie$vFilm and video adaptations) is not generally used other than in these records.

There are also some quality-control issues; the 007 and 008 don't always match data found in the rest of the record, found some typos, non-matching ISBNs, stuff like that. Caveat emptor!

Stolen/Not Stolen

2003-10-21T18:46:48Z

Apparently, some people like the cachet of having stolen library books in their collections. Enough so that there's now a kit to make them look as though they came from a fictitious library. You can get a library card there, too.

(Thanks to satyric for the heads-up!)

MARC Madness

2003-10-16T05:46:05Z

Yesterday, I was at a small public library in East Texas, helping them recover from years of bad cataloging. (There's so much of that around. It's just appalling.) I had met their ex-cataloger (we'll call her "J") about a decade ago when I went to help the library automate for the first time. She'd graduated from library school 25 years before, and was frozen in time. I had a feeling that she wouldn't take advantage of any of the features and benefits of automation. Sadly, my visit yesterday proved me correct.

The clerk who is doing the copycat showed me around. She was very sharp, eager to learn and to do good, but with J as a teacher, there was only so far she could go. "What do you check when you're doing copycat?" I asked. "What edits do you make?" She had been instructed to change all the 655s to 650s, she said, and to change those "weird" $v subfields to $x. Gritting my teeth, I explained that these were changes mandated by the Library of Congress several years ago, and were proper as they stood. I wanted to ask, "When you started getting in all these records with $vs and 655s, why didn't J go to the LC site and see what was going on?" But I held my tongue.

Then she showed me the accession list, a huge monstrosity that took up an entire office space. "Burn it," I said. She thought I was kidding. I didn't have the heart to ask if they used copy numbers on items that had unique barcodes. I was pretty sure I knew the answer.

All of which leads me to wonder, What exactly makes a bad cataloger? I've come up with a few things. A bad cataloger:

Is fearful. Doesn't attempt to learn how to use automated systems to their full advantage. New technology? Forget it.
Is stale. Doesn't take classes to freshen knowledge
Is isolated. Doesn't join mailing lists or other groups that discuss trends and share problems.
Is rigid. Uses cataloging tools and rules as armor instead of tools.

If I wanted to get on my high horse (would I pass up such an opportunity?), I would say that such people are a disgrace to their profession and a blight on the library world.

What do you all think? What have been your experiences with good and bad catalogers? I'd love to know!

Whatta Meese!

2003-10-02T03:50:42Z

The always-offensive Ed Meese has outdone himself! During an interview with Katie Couric on the Today Show, the ex-Attorney General defended the Patriot Act by claiming that librarians are "more interested in allowing pornography to go to children than they are [in] fighting terrorism." The full story (courtesy of LIS News) is here; the ALA's reaction is here.

More Anti-Librarian Rudeness

2003-09-29T06:14:53Z

alexfiles found this column from a Nashville newspaper. The columnist actually believes Ashcroft when he says that the Patriot Act has never been invoked.

I guess he hasn't visited LIS News, which features a story about a recent survey done by the California Library Association. Seems that the FBI has formally contacted 14 of the responding libraries with requests for patron record information. This was reported several days after the Attorney General made his claim. No comment from Ashcroft as yet.

Another Vital Issue for Our Times

2003-09-29T06:09:29Z

The hot topic on the AUTOCAT list today is the coming-of-age novel or, to use the LC-approved heading, the Bildungsroman. (You knew that, right?) In recent cataloging, variant spellings have been noticed: 'Bildungsromane' and 'Bildungsromanes.'

After some investigation, it turns out that there has been an official spelling change. 'Bildungsroman' is the new correct spelling. However, Sears Subject Headings (an alternative to LCSH, primarily used in school libraries) continue to use the plural form.

I love being a cataloger! Who else would care about this?

--Xyn

Dewey vs. Dewey

2003-09-22T02:44:08Z

Oh, good grief! OCLC is suing the Library Hotel in NYC for copyright infringement. The hotel, which is located next to the NY Public Library, classifies all its rooms according to Dewey Decimal numbers. It's really cute--I wrote a story about it awhile back. You'd think OCLC would appreciate the publicity, but nooooo! Sigh. The gory details are here.

Justice Dept. Targets Librarians

2003-09-17T18:36:55Z

From today's New York Times:

Attorney General John Ashcroft today accused the country's biggest library association and other critics of fueling "baseless hysteria" about the government's ability to pry into the public's reading habits.

In an unusually pointed attack as part of his latest speech in defense of the Bush administration's counterterrorism initiatives, Mr. Ashcroft mocked and condemned the American Library Association and other Justice Department critics for believing that the F.B.I. wants to know "how far you have gotten on the latest Tom Clancy novel."

In response, Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association's Washington office said, "If he's coming after us so specifically, we must be having an impact." Of course other critics of the administration, such as Head Start early education teachers, have already been warned by the administration not to talk back. Librarians have now joined the ranks of environmentalists, pro-choice Americans, and defenders of the Bill of Rights as Ashcroft's list of respected targets. (They also join the ever-expanding list of Bush targets including retired and current military officers, soldiers on the front lines in Iraq, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, and news reporters who dare voice any criticism of Bush policies.)

Maybe First Librarian Laura Bush could recommend that Ashcroft spend more time in a library (a safe one without nude statues, of course). There he could open a history book and see that free speech, civil rights, and an independent judiciary are all great American traditions.

P.S. This isn't the first time the Bush administration has savaged First Lady Laura Bush's former profession. In his FY2002 budget, Bush cut funds for the Office of Library Services by $39 million, a cut revealed one week after Laura Bush launched a national campaign for America's libraries. In that same budget, he also cut all federal funding to the advocacy group Reading is Fundamental, on whose board both Laura Bush and Barbara Bush sat.

Dewey? Oh, We Do, We Do!

2003-09-15T04:22:08Z

It's autumn. The weather is cooling, and there's a spring in my step and a twinkle in my eye. All of which can mean only one thing: after seven long years, the new version of the Dewey Decimal Classification scheme is about to be released!

While it has been continually updated in its electronic form since Edition 21 came out in 1996, this will be the first (and for most of us, the definitive) edition to pull it all together. Lots of changes, includng geographical ones that reflect the geo-political shifts that have occurred in the last seven years; a vastly improved Computer/Internet section; revisions in Religion to decrease the inadvertent Christian bias that had crept in; the shocking deletion of Table 7, and much, much more! If you're anxious to start applying the changes (I know I am!), you can get the list here. Enjoy!

Libraries vs. Bookstores

2003-09-13T05:57:11Z

Applying the bookstore model to public libraries. Courtesy of Library Link of the Day. (Especially recommended for Connie, who as recently as the other day was still making fun of me for my "This is what we used to do in bookstores" contributions that I made in Collection Development class, ca. 1991.) --Xyn

Forbidden Cataloging

2003-09-13T05:22:34Z

This from the Autocat list. Do catalogers know how to put a damper on things, or what?

Q: ... I find it helpful to add this bit of information. For example:
500 "September 2000"--T.p.
OCLC's Quality Control goes through and strips out the "--T.p." Is it "wrong" to make this designation?

A: Yes, according to 1.7A3. "Quotations. Follow the quotation by an indication of its source, unless that source is the chief source of information." The way I would read this, it is not only not required, it is forbidden.

More on the Librarian Action Figure

2003-09-11T04:51:14Z

Archie McPhee's new Librarian action figure continues to stir up controversy. Librarians worldwide are outraged at McPhee's audacity in perpetuating the stereotype that they have worked for years to change. (You know the one--old maid in glasses, hair in bun, shushing everyone.) Personally, I think it's a hoot--it's just a postmodern sendup of the stereotype--but most librarians aren't looking at it that way.

Fortunately, some saner heads are prevailing. For example, Neal Gaiman made this sensible remark:

Of course, if the whole point of the offended librarians is that librarians can, and, wisely, do, look like anyone, then any action figure would do. ("Isn't that a Gandalf toy?" "Nope it's a librarian. One with a hat and a beard." "And he's next to a... Bettie Page toy?" "Nope. Just a cute, half-naked librarian with a big smile and a Bettie Page haircut.")

Now, if we can just get people to stop burning the things...

--Xyn

Quick Tips for Librarians

2003-09-06T19:26:01Z

Those who Knew Me When (that means you, Connie) know that I am good with buzzwords. In fact, I limited my studying for comps to a quick review of class notes and an extensive list of words I knew that the graders, in their haste to pass or fail us, would key in on. So when I cataloged 2500 Keywords to Get You Hired yesterday, I was naturally intrigued by their ideas, which I present below with a large grain of something:

"Keywords that librarians should use on their resumes include: Library Science, Librarian, MLS (Master of Library Science), Ala Accredited University, OCLC, OCLC Marc Format, Cataloguing, Dewey Classification, Multiple Disciplines, Circulation, Online Circulation, Customer Service, Reference Librarian, Children's Librarian, Business Librarian, Readers' Advisory, Literacy, Grant Writing, After-School Programs, Tutoring, Internet Research, Library of Congress Subject Heading [sic]."

One would presume that the use of all these "keywords" would not be advisable. And just for grins, here's their sample Q&A (boldface mine):

"Why should we hire you, what are your strengths, and how do you see yourself contributing to our company?"

"Of course, I have an MLS from an ALA Accredited University. In addition, I have extensive coursework in multiple disciplines including history, psychology, French, and Renaissance literature. But I believe that all the knowledge in the world isn't very helpful to a librarian who doesn't possess good customer service skills, so I have always tried to be very sensitive to the needs of our patrons. In that regard, I've developed a number of activities and events to reach multiple populations, including an adult literacy program, and an after-school tutoring and homework help program."

Indeed.

-- Xyn

Iraqi Librarian Saves Basra Collection

2003-09-06T19:06:30Z

As one who still gets pangs thinking of the destruction of the Library of Alexandria ca. 25 B.C., this made me happy.

Word t' Ya Blogga

2003-09-03T21:56:56Z

The very witty Lipstick Librarian has created a hip-hop language for librarians. Ya go tennant your bad selves; we'll be MARCin' time on the flip P-A!

City Considers Outsourcing Library Services

2003-08-21T15:27:21Z

(from WFAA.com; copied here so that you won't have to register on site to read it)

DALLAS - For more than 100 years, the City has operated the Dallas Library System. A recent proposal to privatize the library has caught the attention of supporters and the Dallas City Council.

Under the plan, Dallas could farm out the management, staff and operations for some or all of its 22 branches. The city would still own the books, assets and library structures.

The company being considered to manage the system is LSSI, a 22-year-old firm run by professional librarians. LSSI is known for stepping in to help troubled library systems. The company touts good service and a good return for tax dollars invested.

Still, some on the council are skeptical.

"My perspective is, the library system isn't broken, it is working and working well, and I don't see a need for radical change," council member Lois Finkelman said.

Others want to consider the proposal.

"Showing interest in using outside resources to help us do a better job for less taxpayer money is a sign of strength, not a sign something is broken," council member Gary Griffith said.

Library supporters suggested that its unique character would be hard for LSSI to maintain. Librarians answer questions, help kids read, foster knowledge and perform other services hard to quantify. They questioned whether a company that values profit will feel the same about the community.

"They're not here for charity, you know. If their focus is on making money, I'm not sure they can afford to give the kind of service we want," said June Leftwich, chairwoman of the Dallas Library Board.

LSSI said its business is keeping libraries alive and thriving.

-- Chris Heinbaugh / WFAA-TV
Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Blah Blah Blah

2003-08-21T03:17:36Z

When I read stuff like the following (a recent post on a major catalogers' listserv), I don't know quite how to react. Should I be proud of my peers for their intelligence and attention to detail, and for the fact that they care so much? Or should I be ashamed?

"[T.L.] wrote to ask whether the apparent edition statement "editione vicesima septima revisa" that appears on the title page of the book he is copy cataloging should be considered an edition statement and why it isn't carried in the 250 field of various records he has found for the book. I looked at the ten OCLC records produced by a search of the ISBN (3438051001) and found that the statement quoted above appears as part of the 245 in only two of these records. All have a German edition statement in the 250 (although, interestingly, four of the records read "26. Aufl.", five read "27. Aufl.", and one reads 'Editio 25"). When I checked AACR2R 2002 at 1.2B5, I found the following statement: "If an edition statement appears in more than one language or script, transcribe the statement in the language or script of the title proper. If this criterion does not apply, transcribe the statement that appears first. Optionally, transcribe the parallel statement(s), each preceded by an equals sign". Since the language of the text is Greek, and no edition statement appears in Greek, I'd guess that the language of the publisher was considered to be preferred, hence the German statement. There is one record in OCLC (#52354210) that transcribes the Latin and the German statements as parallels: but, FWIW, the LCRI for Rule 1.2B5 says, "Do not apply the optional provision of the rule", so they don't endorse the parallel edition statement solution. So the answer isn't crystal clear, but I'd choose the German edition statement for the 250."

I realize that I am something of a rarity--a cataloger who uses the rules to accomplish goals, rather than allowing myself to be bound by them. And what I'm about to say will probably sound downright heretical. So be it; I can't restrain myself.

WHO CARES??????? DOES IT REALLY MATTER? Is the Earth going to spin off its axis if the stupid statement (which might or might not be an edition statement) gets its due? How much time did this guy (an academic cataloger, natch) waste in the pursuit of meaningless minutae? I'm bitter that I wasted two minutes of my life just reading it!!

Okay, I feel better now.
--Xyn

Avast! Pirate Movies Ahead!

2003-08-18T21:25:53Z

Xu and I have been enthralled with Pirates of the Caribbean this summer--I've seen it twice, and she's seen it three times. Finally, a good pirate movie to wash away the memories of Cutthroat Island and Pirates! (what was Polanski doing directing a pirate adventure movie, anyway?). And Johnny Depp is just, well...Leave Orlando Bloom for the teenyboppers--we'll take Johnny, eyeliner and all, any day!

To help you through the lull until the next installment (the sequel has already been sold!), we thought we'd list a few of our favorite piratey movies, on a scale from one Arrrr (walk the plank) to five Arrrrs (golden treasure):

First, of course, has to be The Sea Hawk, Errol Flynn's finest turn as a pirate (which says a lot). Loosely based on real events, it's a perfect adventure movie, with evil villains, a beautiful heroine, noble deeds, and best of all, Errol at his most dashing. Five Arrrrs.
Earlier in his career, Errol made Captain Blood, which is not as good as The Sea Hawk, but is still a lot of fun. His duel with Basil Rathbone is not to be missed! Three Arrrrs.
Since we're on Errol, we'll go ahead and mention Against All Flags. This was one of his later films, and a lot of his early spark and beauty has dissipated. But it's a good adventure, and Maureen O'Hara and Anthony Quinn are fun to watch. Two Arrrrs; three if you haven't seen Errol at his peak.
You can argue in favor of others (Charlton Heston as Long John Silver?!?), but for our money, the best of the Treasure Island adaptations is the 1950 version. What was it about the '50s and pirates? Perhaps it was the Technicolor. Four Arrrrs.
The Crimson Pirate is a typical 1950s adventure. If Cecil B. DeMille had directed a pirate movie, this would have been it. Over the top, but enjoyable. Three Arrrrs.
We feel compelled to mention Disney's Blackbeard's Ghost. It really isn't a very good film, but we remember it fondly from childhood. And it's always a hoot to watch Peter Ustinov chew the scenery. Two Arrrrs (one of which is for sentimental reason).

It's perfect weather for sailing the high (movie) seas--go catch Pirates of the Caribbean if you haven't already. We'll be going again as soon as we can!

The Private Life of a Librarian

2003-08-18T20:12:26Z

The "Leather-Bound Librarian" who provided "sadistic, yet caring" services online, was unmasked last week. Valerie Shahan, hired in June to run Concrete's new library, made headlines when her private life as Lady Jane Grey was made public in the Skagit Valley Herald.

Eureka!

2003-08-14T20:51:02Z

Finally, we're here! Xu and I have been talking about blogging for awhile now, and I finally got around to creating the journal. Since we're both librarians (though hardly stereotypical), expect to see a lot about things we're reading, thrilling accounts of goings-on in the library world, and the like. But...no shushing!

-Evil Xyn