Catalogue & Index Book Review
July 4, 2012
Now that it’s out, I don’t mind admitting that one of the book reviews of which I’ve been most scared but hopeful is the one for Catalogue and Index, the newsletter of Cilip’s Cataloguing and Indexing Group.
In the event, reviewer Katie Flanagan has been extremely kind about Practical Cataloguing, being good enough to “highly recommend reading it, both for novice cataloguers and those trying to work out how RDA will affect their work.”
She writes, “The book is highly readable, and works well reading from cover to cover, although it is also very easy to dip into to find relevant information or examples. It does a good job of covering and explaining the state of flux as few libraries so far have adopted RDA, as well as helpful tips about what to do in the interim.” Outlining the contents she goes on, “One of the most useful features I found was the Practice notes interspersed throughout the text. These highlight cataloguing issues to be aware of, such as where local cataloguing may differ from the theory, the limitations of an LMS or how the implications of taking a decision to move to RDA may affect your records. Some are pitfalls of which the beginner cataloguer should be aware, but others have implications for the whole catalogue.”
As well as being a relief that the review hitting the inboxes of UK cataloguing is a positive one, it’s marvellous to know that Practical Cataloguing is seen as a useful addition to the working library of a well-respected librarian in the sector.
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Sample for yourself: download the first chapter of Practical Cataloguing from Facet’s website.
