Session 7 - Organization and Access to Materials / Space Planning

Allocating budget dollars toward building a collection, then actually spending thousands of dollars on library materials, would all be largely a wasted effort if the library did not provide systematic access to its collection.  And that is precisely what cataloging accomplishes.

Cataloging materials in all their formats, and then logically organizing those materials on the shelves, provides access to the library’s collection by author, title, and subject.  And in the case of automated libraries, the online catalog can also provide access through keyword searching.

Ensuring quality, consistent cataloging and logical organization can take a great deal of time.  Libraries should look for ways to streamline this process and actually do very little original cataloging in-house.

Learning Objectives for Session 7:

• To understand how libraries are organized
• To understand the SILO minimum input standards
• To understand the importance of buying good cataloging records
• To understand the importance of doing a regularly-scheduled space needs analysis
• To understand the following standards, as listed in In Service To Iowa:

1. Standards 46-48 (p. 16-17)
2. Standard 63-65 (p. 21)
3. Standards 70-74 (p. 22)
4. Appendix C (p. 27-28) 

Assignments for class:

• Reading assignment
• Written assignment
• Web board discussion questions
• Additional reading and resources