Cataloguing Without Tears: Managing Knowledge in the Information Society

by Jane Read

This book is an introduction, ‘handy’ and authoritative guide to the principles of cataloguing for librarians, information scientists and information managers. It is intended to be used in conjunction with an internationally recognised standard to show how, firstly, cataloguing underpins all the other activities of an information service and, secondly, how to apply best practice in a variety of different situations.

Genres: Library Science

Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kind of non-fiction book. Full of information about cataloguing, delivered with a sprinkling of British humour and quirky little cartoons to make it easier to digest the facts.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 2003 handbook to cataloging discusses the basics of using information from books and other media to create appropriate metadata for catalog listings. Read has a sense of humor about the practice and this may be an enjoyable skim for librarians and patrons alike.

One aspect worth mentioning is a point with which I disagree; when discussing children's literature, she suggests that for material that some families might potentially find offensive, that a note to that potential should be made in the record or the sticker affixed to the cover (p. 212). I do not agree because, of course, "offensive" is subjective and making such notations can serve to divide and alienate marginalized populations.

[Trailhoundz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm taking a cataloging course for my MLiS right now and needed a bit of extra reading on the subject... this book was perfect! It was a great overview, easy to read for those of us who are trying to learn the profession and not yet "up-to-snuff" on the ins-and-outs. The author has a great writing style and is pretty funny (as are the librarian comics inside!).

[Evan]

My desperate attempt to understand the language of so many of my OHIONET colleagues...

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a knowledge refresher.

[Jaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute cartoons

[Miri Gifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually fun to read, as well as very helpful. Probably need to own as a reference.