Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 10:27:12 -0500
From: Pamela Simpson <p2s@PSULIAS.PSU.EDU>
Subject: Classification of serials staff

At Penn State we are gradually training cataloging staff to do original
cataloging. For monographs, this includes subject analysis and
classification for materials in a subject area in which the staff member
has an undergraduate  degree. For serials, it will probably include only
descriptive cataloging. Our current thinking on this is that it's not
practical to train staff to do subject analysis and classification across
all the schedules, as would be necessary for serials,  given the relatively
small volume of original cataloging of serials that we do.

I'm concerned about the reclassification process and want to be sure that
the serials staff get credit for the complex and important work that they do.
Is there anyone out there who has been through a reclassification of staff
after copy catalogers were trained to do original cataloging? Is there
anyone who has a similar situation, with monograph catalogers doing subject
analysis and serials catalogers doing only descriptive cataloging? If so,
were you able to effectively make the case that descriptive cataloging of
serials is "equal" intellectually to subject analysis and classification of
monographs?

Please respond to me personally and I will summarize for the list.

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Pamela Simpson
Serials and Electronic Resources Cataloging Librarian
E506 Pattee Library
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA  16802-1805
(814) 865-1755  Fax: (814) 863-7293

p2s@psulias.psu.edu
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