Abstracts
Vol. 47, No. 3
Electronic Databases for Readers’ Advisory Services and
Intellectual Access to Translated Fiction Not Originally Written in English
Juris Dilevko and Keren Dali
Electronic databases for readers’ advisory services are
increasingly prevalent in both public and academic libraries. Librarians rely on
these databases to suggest new fiction titles to patrons, many of whom are
interested in various types of foreign fiction translated into English. Using a
case study approach, this paper examines the NoveList database from the
perspective of intellectual access to novels originally written in Russian and
subsequently translated into English. The number of subject headings assigned to
these novels—as well as the number of accompanying book reviews in the NoveList
record for each novel—is compared with the number of subject headings and
accompanying book reviews present in the NoveList record for novels originally
written in English. Translated Russian novels have substantially fewer subject
headings and accompanying book reviews than do novels originally written in
English. In addition, existing subject headings are often misleading, erroneous,
or inefficient. Such shortcomings may be interpreted ideologically, since they
have the effect of isolating and excluding translated foreign literature from
the general realm of fiction works originally written in English. Impaired
intellectual access to translated fiction in NoveList prevents a complete
integration of translated fiction with English-language fiction—a circumstance
that may lead librarians and patrons to overlook valuable titles. Careful
reading of book reviews to extract contextually relevant keywords from which
accurate subject headings can then be created is recommended as a simple way to
improve the quantity and quality of subject headings and, more broadly, to
strengthen intellectual access to translated fiction.
Recent Work in Cataloging and Classification, 2000–2002
Kyung-Sun Kim
This article provides a review of cataloging and classification publications that appeared in the last two years. The review considers the papers in two categories. Cataloging Theories and Practices covers descriptive cataloging, authority control, classification, subject cataloging, cataloging nonbook materials, electronic resources and metadata, and international cooperation. The second section covers other issues related to cataloging, including management, and education and training. Throughout the review, the author identifies trends and important developments in the area of cataloging and classification.
Monographs Acquisitions Time and Cost Studies: The Next Generation
David C. Fowler and Janet Arcand
This article is based on time and cost studies conducted
at Iowa State University between 1994/95 and 2000/01. It represents a
continuation of previous analyses in which monographs acquisitions functions
were evaluated and examined with a view toward using the results as a management
tool. Continued decreases in time and cost factors were anticipated as the
library migrated to more advanced technologies, but time reductions were
mitigated by new initiatives that were added to the work processes. As a result
of various factors, costs associated with the acquisition of monographs
generally increased, but the value of the services provided by the Monographs
Acquisitions Department was enhanced considerably.
Falling In and Out of Love: The Impact of Moving to a Remote Location on Cataloging Workflow
Jean Dickinson, Charity K. Martin, and Margaret Mering
As academic libraries undergo renovation and building projects, various
technical service operations are frequently moved out of the main building and
housed in an off-site location. The aim of this research was to discover, by
means of a questionnaire, what the impact of such a move is on the workflow of
professional catalogers. The researchers concluded that a positive experience on
the part of the catalogers depends upon detailed planning, thoughtful
administrative support, and an element of luck. However, some problems are
unavoidable in moving catalogers away from the main collection.
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