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.