The Ohio State University

CURRENTLY USED CATALOGING LOCAL PRACTICES:

1. Adjusting call number for Classes M, N, and Ps:

   Works having classification numbers beginning with M, N, and P - all call numbers must be checked against and fit into the OSUL shelflist so that all titles in these three classifications fit in with what we already have established; this is especially true for literary authors, painters, sculptors, musicians, etc., because we don't want the same person classified in two different places

2. Table 40:

   LC's revised table 40 of class P - OSUL follows LC's table 40 with the following major differences:

   .xZ5-59 Autobiography, journals, memoirs .xZ8 General works [of Biography and criticism] (add a third cutter for the main entry) (Note: ".x" represents the cutter number for the author)

   OSUL wanted to have a cutter for the main entry, so they established Z8 for general biography and criticism and then added a third cutter for the main entry; LC uses .xZ5-.xZ999 for general biography and criticism and then adjusts the number to fit the main entry in with others already in the system

3. Three (or more) cutters:

   OSUL does this so that the last cutter number is for the main entry (you will see this usage most often in the P and H classifications); LC does not use three cutters, but adjusts the call number using the second cutter

4. Cuttering tables:

   Cuttering tables (e.g., if the entry begins with a consonant other than S or Q and the 2nd letter is "i," then the number used is 5; for example, Ti = T5) - LC's table is slightly different from what OSUL uses; this is especially true for the 3rd letter table

5. Translation tables:

   Translation tables (e.g., English translation = .x1 (OSU's table) - LC's table and OSUL's table do not agree (for example, for an English translation: OSUL uses .x1 and LC uses .x13)

6. Adaptations, criticisms, etc:

   OSUL uses .x17 for parts or adaptations and uses .x18 for criticism (of a specific non-literary title); LC uses .x17 for Russian translation and .x18 for Spanish translation

7. Editions and conferences:

   librarians have asked that later editions and named conferences be classified with the earlier ones that OSU already has; OCLC copy (LC and member) may have different/more current classification numbers

8. "Z" bibliographies:

   Librarians have asked that later bibliographies be put in the subject classification number rather than in "Z"

9. Prefixes and suffixes in call numbers:

   OSUL uses prefixes (e.g., Thesis) and suffixes (e.g., Microfilm) in call numbers to indicate non-book formats or supplementary materials (e.g., Index)

10. Creating new bibliographic records for printings of literary works (e.g., novels)

    OSUL does not do this for non-literary works

    Various ways in which this has been accomplished:

    1. Make a new record in OCLC for each printing of a literary work and export it to OSCAR/Felix - OCLC regardsthese records as duplicates and does not want us doing them

    2. Make the changes to an existing OCLC record (e.g., change the printing date) and export to OSCAR/Felix - this solves the duplicate problem on OCLC but means duplicate OCLC numbers on OSCAR/Felix; Felix prints this out as a problem

11. Copy Number in the Item record OSUL/HEA/Regional Campuses/Herbarium, OSUL Libraries, Regional Campus Libraries, Health Sciences Library, and the Herbarium Library are assigning copy numbers sequentially. For example: the Main Library may have copy 1, HEA may have copy 2, etc.

REASONS FOR NOT FOR NOT ALWAYS FOLLOWING LC PRACTICES:

There are two main reasons why we don't always follow LC: (1) the practice has been followed at OSUL for many years (e.g., Z8) and a number of records/books already exist with that number and (2) librarians have requested a change in procedures (e.g., subject bibliographies in the subject classification number instead of in "Z")

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE STOPPED THE ABOVE LOCAL PRACTICES?

1. Cataloging sites will cataloging their materials following Library of Congress cataloging practices

2. We will have inconsistencies in the call number assignments and in shelving materials in the stacks. This problem already exists.

3. We will reduce the amount of training spent on new employees

4. We will be able to use more non-permanent employees such as GAs, and student assistants

5. Cooperation between department will be more efficient

6. Our records in OCLC will be used more effectively (without making major changes) by member libraries since we all are using national standards.