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News Release96-03 National Library of Canada Revises Levels of Cataloguing TreatmentOttawa -- March 28, 1996 -- In the interests of timeliness, accessibility and economy, the National Library of Canada has revised the levels of cataloguing treatment for all formats of publications listed in the national bibliography, Canadiana, and held in the Library’s collections. Effective April 1, there will be three cataloguing levels (full, minimal and abbreviated) rather than the previous five (full, partial, enhanced minimal, minimal and abbreviated). The currency of an item will now be a factor in determining the appropriate treatment level. At the full cataloguing level, records with full descriptive and subject access points and comprehensive notes are provided. This treatment is accorded to Cataloguing in Publication (CIP) material, most government documents in the Depository Services Program (DSP), items for the National Library’s special collections (rare books, the Jacob M. Lowy Collection, reference, library and information science, and juvenile materials), and current publications in the Library’s areas of special emphasis (music in Canada, Canadian literature, and the historical approach to the development of Canadian society). The minimal cataloguing level, familiar to current users of the National Library’s bibliographic records, restricts the number of descriptive access points, does not assign subject headings, and provides shortened Dewey numbers and limited notes. This treatment is assigned, by default, to incoming material not covered by either the full cataloguing level or the abbreviated cataloguing level. The abbreviated cataloguing level contains the least amount of information needed for identification. There are no subject headings, few notes and descriptive access is usually restricted to one access point beyond the main entry. This level applies to all material excluded from the national bibliography, mass market paperback fiction, ephemera, other minor publications and less significant educational materials. Apart from materials for the CIP and DSP programs and those for the Library’s special collections, older items will be moved to lower cataloguing levels. Derived cataloguing records will be used for items receiving lower treatment levels wherever possible. The Library’s revised cataloguing levels are intended to reduce processing time, keep cataloguing as consistent and current as possible, ensure continuing access to materials, minimize backlogs, and address the problem of severely reduced resources. The changes reflect the National Library’s recognition of the high priority that Canadian libraries place on the timeliness of cataloguing products. The National Library will monitor the impact of the revised system of cataloguing levels during the next year. -30- For further information, contact: Elizabeth McKeen |