Cataloging Policy



General Policies

The JKL Library’s general cataloging policy is to catalog all circulating and non-circulating material in its collections. The goal of the cataloging department is to organize the library’s collection is such a way to aid patrons in finding items of interest, whether in physical form at the library or via the library’s internet catalog. This cataloging will be done as efficiently as possible to meet the standards listed below without sacrificing quality.

Items will be cataloged as single items only. Therefore the JKL Library does not catalog individual parts of an item including articles within journals or newspapers, chapters of books, or parts of a kit or set. In the case of two or more items of the same title but in different formats (electronic/ print version; DVD/ VHS versions), the items will be cataloged and housed separately. 

Standards
All original bibliographic records will be cataloged in Resource Description and Access (RDA) format and the MARC 21 format. Catalogers will follow the RDA guidelines in the RDA Toolkit. Catalogers will follow MARC cataloging rules set forth by the LOC as of the latest revision except when such rules deviate from the OCLC MARC cataloging practices. In such cases, the OCLC rule interpretations will be followed. Whenever possible, the records will be cataloged to at least level 2 standards.

Whenever possible, catalogers will attempt to purchase the MARC 21 record from the vendor of the item, the Library of Congress (LOC) or from the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). These records will undergo strict review and be edited as necessary to ensure that they are compatible with the library’s system and that they meet the JKL Library’s standards and other local cataloging processes. 

Authority Control

All author and contributor names will be checked with the LOC’s authority control page to ensure consistency throughout the system. Any name discrepancies found between the preferred source of bibliographic information and the LOC names authority control will be noted on the records.  The JKL Library will use LOC subject headings for all items in the collection. It is recommended that all items have a minimum of three subject headings but no more than five. Non-book items may have less than three subject headings depending on the resource.

Updating Records

Both the LOC name authority files and the LOC subject headings are dynamic and occasionally change. Any updates brought to our attention will be changes in the system as time permits. The catalogers will also make efforts to update any faulty records that are brought to the library’s attention by patrons. While changes are being made to the record, the item will be removed from circulation. Once all changes have been made, the item will be returned to circulation. Lost, irreparably damaged, and items permanently removed from circulation for other reasons will be withdrawn from the system (hidden from patrons). The record will be kept as an archive in case a replacement item is acquired. 

Policies regarding specific formats

Board Games
Board games will be housed with other non-book materials such as DVD’s, audio tapes, and video games in its respective section. When cataloging board games, catalogers will pay special attention on the extent of the item (RDA 3.4 and MARC 300) to ensure all playing pieces are recorded as noted in the rule book or on the preferred source. It is recommended (but not mandatory) that board games have at least one subject heading.

An inventory of the playing pieces will be done twice a year and any missing pieces will be noted on the records. If deemed unfit to circulate due to missing pieces or damage, the item will be removed from the collection or replaced based on circulation data.

Board games will circulate for two weeks at a time. A one week renewal will be available provided the game does not have a waiting list. Late fees for board games will be the same rate as other non-book materials. 


Policies Referenced.



 

 

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