Cataloging and Classification Section Annual Report, 1995-96

Charles W. Simpson, CCS Chair, 1995-96

Standards, guidelines, education, and new technology characterized much of the work of the Cataloging and Classification Section during the year. This was evident both in its programs and the work of its committees. Committee publications on the World Wide Web were increasingly available during the year.

Successful preconferences on the 21st edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification and outsourcing (co-sponsored with the Acquisitions Section) plus a standing-room only program "Technology, Innovation and Management in Cataloging: Effective Strategies to Stay Ahead of the Game" (planned by the Committee on Education, Training and Recruitment for Cataloging) were the result of the hard work and planning of many dedicated CCS members. Three future programs, a preconference, and an institute were planned and approved.

Beyond its programs, the work of the section's committees illustrates the varied interests of CCS and points to the tremendous energy, knowledge, and commitment of the CCS membership.

Among the issues considered by the Committee on Cataloging: Asian and African Materials (CC:AAM) were forms of Vietnamese personal names and the Dewey Decimal classification of materials on South Africa.

The Committee on Cataloging: Description and Access focussed on the relationship between TEI and MARC, cataloging conference proceedings, the revision of ISBD (CF), music moving image materials, and works intended for performance. The committee also commented on aspects of the planned electronic edition of AACR2R. The committee's "How to Submit a Rule Change" was planned for distribution in electronic form.

The Committee on Education, Training and Recruitment for Cataloging compiled suggested criteria for the knowledge and skills required of entry-level catalogers (which was sent to library schools for comment) and established a project to provide a network of cataloger-practitioners who would serve as recruiters and mentors for prospective catalogers.

The Cataloging of Children's Materials Committee continued work on revised editions of Guidelines for the Cataloging of Children's Materials and Cataloging Correctly for Kids.

The Subject Analysis Committee (SAC) made recommendations on the order of subdivisions in LCSH (which was forwarded to the Library of Congress), and produced final reports on the Abridged Dewey, and the Music Thesaurus Project. Among other topics, it also investigated the NISO Proposed Indexing Standard. Reflecting other efforts within CCS, the Subcommittee on Subject Relationships/Reference Structures (SSRRS) established a listserve and the Subcommittee on Form Headings/Subdivisions Implementation planned to put a flyer on its Web site.

Also in the electronic arena, the Policy and Research Committee planned for its list of research topics in cataloging and classification to be made available in various electronic formats including a Web site.

Discussion Group topics included copy cataloging work flow, training of copy catalogers in an acquisitions department, quality of shared cataloging (including vendor records), technological innovations affecting cataloging, research in cataloging and classification, aspects of authority control, and cataloging standards for electronic formats.

Arlene G. Taylor received the Margaret Mann Citation which was sponsored for the first time by OCLC, Inc.

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