Aside from orientation hoops and hurdles, I spent the first few days of this project learning how to create Initial Bibliographic Control (IBC) records on the library's cataloging database, Voyager. IBC require relatively little time, and they're created for the online catalog prior to full cataloging so that patrons and library staff will know that the library has a particular item.
The first step in this process is to search for a bibliographic record of a work on Voyager in order to determine whether or not the Library of Congress already has a copy of this work. This is important, because there should not be duplicate bibliographic records for the same work. If, however, no record exists in Voyager, then the search moves to OCLC World Catalog using the Z-Processor client. Z-Processor allows the cataloger to search for and import existing records from outside of the Library of Congress. If the record is a good match to the work at hand, this step can save a lot of work for the cataloger in creating a bibliographic record in Voyager.
My mentor, Haim, provided me the opportunity to practice creating IBC records for a number of contemporary books written in modern Hebrew. While my summer project focuses on cataloging Yiddish books, Hebrew books were a good way to practice because they share the same script and similar Romanization. One of the unique aspects of Hebraic cataloging (and with any JACKPHY language) is the use of both Hebrew script and the Romanization of Hebrew words and characters in some (but not all) bibliographic records. I'll write more about these challenges later on.
The first step in this process is to search for a bibliographic record of a work on Voyager in order to determine whether or not the Library of Congress already has a copy of this work. This is important, because there should not be duplicate bibliographic records for the same work. If, however, no record exists in Voyager, then the search moves to OCLC World Catalog using the Z-Processor client. Z-Processor allows the cataloger to search for and import existing records from outside of the Library of Congress. If the record is a good match to the work at hand, this step can save a lot of work for the cataloger in creating a bibliographic record in Voyager.
My mentor, Haim, provided me the opportunity to practice creating IBC records for a number of contemporary books written in modern Hebrew. While my summer project focuses on cataloging Yiddish books, Hebrew books were a good way to practice because they share the same script and similar Romanization. One of the unique aspects of Hebraic cataloging (and with any JACKPHY language) is the use of both Hebrew script and the Romanization of Hebrew words and characters in some (but not all) bibliographic records. I'll write more about these challenges later on.
Comments
Post a Comment