OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards.Also, the detail here is far more than you need for a church library. You will probably need to read one of the books on library cataloging before these materials make sense to you. Bibliographic (MARC, ISBD, AACR) Standards It is often a good idea to browse the subjects that have actually been used in the LC catalog to get ideas. Since the subject lists do not include all possible subdivisions (free floating subdivisions), inexperienced volunteer staff may have some difficulty constructing specific headings based on the LC list. You can search the subject list and even download free authority records. The entire Library of Congress Subject Headings list is many volumes in print form. It is best used as a supplement to Sears. McMichael provides a brief list of subjects especially useful for a church library. It is available at and many larger Christian book stores. Many church libraries use Sears List of Subject Headings (which was designed primarily for public libraries). The entire printed schedule for all topics is very big - more than a full shelf of books. However, you will need to purchase or print a paper copy of the unabridged religion section. I suggest you stick with real Dewey because it is more complete, it is easier to find staff who have experience with it, and it is more likely to be revised to reflect new needs.Ībridged versions of the Library of Congress classification schedules are available free here in pdf format. Many SBC churches use A Classification System for Church Libraries: Based on the Dewey Decimal Classification System (Convention Press, 1996). A free but incomplete and dated outline is available here. It is also available at some religious bookstores, including many Lifeway and Cokesbury stores. You may buy either a complete or an abridged Dewey schedule from OCLC. Most church libraries use the Dewey Decimal Classification. Classification Schedules (Call Number Tables) So your local staff must understand basic cataloging rules and must have access to classification schedules (call number tables) and subject heading lists. In any event, your local staff will have to do some original cataloging, for example to catalog recordings of local church services. If you do decide to download records from another library, then determine the standards that library follows. OCLC has a good list of libraries that use Dewey. If you download records from a public library then the records are likely to include Dewey call numbers and either Sears subject headings or Library of Congress subject headings. The Library of Congress system is complex and it is hard for church staff to learn and use. If you download from a university library or a very big public library, then the records are likely to use Library of Congress call numbers and subject headings. You really need to think carefully about whether you wish to take this approach to cataloging. There is now inexpensive software which allows church staff to search other libraries (for example the Library of Congress or Dallas Theological Seminary) and download complete catalog records with no manual keying. In the past, most church libraries manually typed catalog records and used Dewey for call numbers and Sears for subject headings. One of the biggest problems for church libraries is cataloging materials. I am told the series of books from the Church and Synagogue Library Association is helpful. Just go to the Lifeway website and search for church library or browse the section on church staff resources. The titles seem to change every few years so I hesitate to cite specific titles. The Church Media Department of the Southern Baptist Convention has published a series of about 10 pamphlets covering library administration, facilities, collection development, cataloging and processing, circulation of materials, etc. ACL volunteers sometimes provide free consulting service for libraries in less developed countries. 2008) is a text for beginning librarians in developing countries and is widely used on the mission field. The Librarian's Manual, edited by Ferne Weimer and Kenneth Gill (Association of Christian Librarians, rev ed. La Vose Newton, Church Library Handbook (Harvest House, 1987) is also helpful. This book discusses all phases of library work such as administration, promotion, classifying, cataloging, and processing of both books and AV materials. Books on Library Operationsįor a good overall introduction to church librarianship, see Betty McMichael, The Church Librarian's Handbook: A Complete Guide for the Library and Resource Center in Christian Education (Moody Press, 1998). The Evangelical Church Library Association and the Church and Synagogue Library Association may be able to help you. Resources for Church Libraries Church library organizations
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