The Library View

Descriptive Cataloging Descriptive Cataloging: The Foundation of Library Organization and Access Descriptive cataloging is the process of creating a detailed and standardized bibliographic record for library materials, such as books, journals, digital resources, and multimedia items. This process involves providing essential information about the item to ensure that it can be accurately identified, retrieved, and categorized in a library’s catalog system. Descriptive cataloging plays a vital role in organizing collections and enabling efficient resource discovery for library users. In this article, we will explore the concept of descriptive cataloging, its principles, guidelines, tools, and its importance in modern libraries. What is Descriptive Cataloging? Descriptive cataloging is the part of cataloging that focuses on identifying and recording key information about a library resource. The goal is to provide a standardized and comprehensive description of the resource’s charac...

Union Cataloging Union Cataloging: A Powerful Tool for Library Resource Sharing and Discovery Union cataloging is the process of creating a centralized catalog that consolidates bibliographic records from multiple libraries, institutions, or organizations. The goal is to provide a comprehensive catalog that lists the holdings of all participating libraries in one location, enabling library users and staff to easily discover and access materials across various institutions. This collaborative approach to cataloging offers significant advantages, especially when libraries aim to maximize access to their collections while reducing redundancy in cataloging efforts. In this article, we will explore the concept of union cataloging, its benefits, challenges, and some prominent examples of union cataloging initiatives that have revolutionized library resource sharing. What is Union Cataloging? Union cataloging refers to the creation of a single, shared catalog that includes bibliograp...

Examples of Current Awareness Services (CAS) in Library and Information Services ✅ What is CAS? Current Awareness Service (CAS) is a type of alerting service provided by libraries to keep users informed about the latest developments in their fields of interest. CAS is proactive—it delivers new and relevant information to users regularly without them having to request it. The goal is to help users stay up-to-date with recent publications, news, research, or technological advancements in their subject areas. 🔍 Real-World Examples of CAS in Libraries 1. New Arrivals Bulletin (Books, Journals, Reports) Description : The library prepares and shares a regular list of newly acquired books, e-books, reports, and journals relevant to specific user groups (faculty, students, researchers). Example : “Weekly New Titles in Computer Science” – Sent via email to computer science faculty and students. 2. Subject-Specific Email Alerts / Newsletters Description : Customized emails with...

Community Information Services in Libraries: Bridging Knowledge and Social Empowerment Libraries have always been more than repositories of books—they are community anchors , connecting people not only to information but to services, opportunities, and each other. In today's increasingly complex social landscape, Community Information Services (CIS) have emerged as a core component of modern librarianship. Community Information Services are not just about providing facts—they are about empowering citizens, fostering inclusion, and building resilient communities through access to relevant, localized, and actionable information . What Are Community Information Services? Community Information Services refer to the organized provision of information about services, resources, activities, and opportunities available within a community. These services are delivered primarily through public libraries, though academic, school, and special libraries may also be involved. CIS typical...

Library Professional Ethics Library Professional Ethics: Guiding Principles for Responsible Information Stewardship In the realm of librarianship, where information is currency and access is a right, professional ethics form the bedrock of responsible practice. Unlike many professions that deal with tangible goods, librarians work with ideas, identities, and knowledge. This makes the ethical responsibilities of library professionals not only important—but essential. What Are Library Professional Ethics? Library professional ethics refer to the principles and moral values that guide the behavior, decisions, and practices of librarians and information professionals. These ethics ensure that librarians act with integrity, fairness, neutrality, and in the best interest of the users and the society they serve. Ethical librarianship is rooted in intellectual freedom , privacy , equal access , and social responsibility . These values uphold the democratic ideals that libraries have hist...

Cooperative Cataloging in Libraries Cooperative Cataloging in Libraries: Improving Efficiency, Consistency, and Collaboration Cooperative cataloging is a process where libraries, archives, and information organizations collaborate to share the responsibility of cataloging resources and creating bibliographic records. Instead of each institution individually cataloging its materials, cooperative cataloging allows multiple libraries to share records, reduce redundancy, and enhance catalog quality. It is an essential practice in modern library management, especially for larger library systems and consortia. In this article, we will explore the concept of cooperative cataloging, its benefits, challenges, and some notable initiatives that have transformed the way libraries manage and share cataloging records. What is Cooperative Cataloging? Cooperative cataloging refers to a collaborative effort among libraries, consortia, or other information institutions to create, manage, and main...

Understanding Library Union Catalogues Understanding Library Union Catalogues: Collaboration, Access, and the Future of Resource Sharing In a world where information resources are abundant but scattered across various libraries, institutions, and digital platforms, the library union catalogue emerges as a powerful tool for cooperative access and knowledge sharing. It reflects the core values of librarianship: collaboration, user-centered service, and equitable access to information. What is a Library Union Catalogue? A library union catalogue is a combined catalogue that brings together the holdings of multiple libraries—often within a geographic region, academic consortium, or library network—into a single searchable interface. Users can discover what materials are available across participating libraries, not just in one institution. Union catalogues typically include books, journals, digital resources, audiovisual materials, theses, maps, and other special collections. By cons...

Centralized Cataloguing in Libraries Centralized Cataloguing in Libraries: Streamlining Library Management and Resource Accessibility Centralized cataloguing is a system used by libraries and information organizations where the cataloguing of library materials is managed and performed at a central point rather than being done independently by each library branch. This approach aims to standardize, streamline, and improve the efficiency of cataloguing processes. It is commonly used by large library systems, consortia, or regional networks to create a unified database of resources, ensuring easy access and consistency across multiple libraries. In this article, we will explore the concept of centralized cataloguing, its benefits, how it works, and its importance in modern library systems. What is Centralized Cataloguing? Centralized cataloguing refers to the process of cataloguing library materials (such as books, journals, e-books, and audiovisual materials) in one central locatio...