Church Library Orientation

CHURCH LIBRARY MINISTRY CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGING OVERVIEW:

• READ/CONFERENCE: Read the following AND/OR participate in a conference on Classification and subject cataloging.

1. Church Library Ministry Information Service , pages 51 - 70
2. A Classification System for Church Libraries, revised edition, (Introduction, pp. 3 -6) 

• INTERVIEW 2 or more librarians in person or through the CLN Members page. Visit public &/or church libraries in your community to see how classification of materials and subject cataloging helps users to locate and access materials more efficiently. If the libraries are automated, ask how automation has enhanced the services of the library and if there are any detrimental effects from automation. Notice differences in classification of materials written from a Christian perspective in public libraries and what is suggested in a church collection.

• DEVELOP a set of learning plans to enable you to learn the Dewey Decimal System and how to use the catalog (computer or card) to assist persons in searching for and locating items by author, title or subject in the library. Include participation in these activities: shelving media, observing the classification & subject cataloging process, and using the catalog to locate specific items or groups of items. Include a brief plan for training library customers in the use of the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC).

• IMPLEMENT your learning plans or process.

• EVALUATE the process after 2-3 months.  Can you shelve items properly? Can you assist library customers in finding the items they need?  Could you look at a new book and give it a broad classification number and know how to determine a subject heading?  Make any changes needed to improve the process.