Library Collection Mapping

Library collection mapping is the process of examining the quality and quantity of your collection and identifying the weaknesses and strengths. It acts as a visual tool that supplements the automated catalog system. This collection mapping system can display the depth of the collection available. There are many automated systems can create collection maps that provides a quick picture of each collection.

This collection mapping system can help meet the needs of both students and teachers in many ways. It provides the SLMS with the opportunity to ask for input about a certain collection and what they would like to see in the future. The teacher can use this as a way to use materials on specific recent topics and are relevant to the curriculum.

Perma-Bound Books (http://www.perma-bound.com/) is a common collection mapping system that is used to provide traditional and electronic books and information services to schools and libraries. Perma-Bound offers strong title selections, teaching materials, educational software, and electronic media. They also have an online catalog ordering, cataloging and processing, and collection development/analysis available.

References
http://eduscapes.com/sms/program/mapping.html

MARC Records Importance

Having a MARC record compatible automation system in my SLMC is very important because it is an easy way to facilitate communication and sharing information with other libraries. With the way technology and the Internet is evolving, more is being added into libraries to make cataloging easier to handle. Finding books in other libraries also becomes easier as well. You’re able to get access to MARC records on the Internet and download them for use. You’re able to get access to MARC records by going to the Library of Congress website. If MARC records are purchased with book orders, then you are able to export and import with little to no trouble.

Outsourcing the cataloging of books has its pros and cons. While it could save some time for a SLMS on doing certain things, such as shipping books to companies to be cataloged, it would add more to the job for a SLMS to do. It could also cost more money in the process, especially if there is a specific budget allotted.

LIbraryThing (https://www.librarything.com/) is a company that allows you to catalog books from Amazon, the Library of Congress, and 1,051 other libraries. You are also able to catalog movies and music. This company is available in many different languages. You can sign up for a membership that costs either $10 a year or a lifetime membership for $25. They have a brief tour of the website and how to go about signing up and using the website to catalog your materials.

Follow Me on Twitter!

Last year, I made a Twitter account to keep in tabs with anything and everything related to education. It's a great way to find helpful information on various trending topics that are related to music education and technology, or just about anything else you can think of!

Twitter handle: @gomezjasr / www.twitter.com

Dewey Decimal System

The Dewey Decimal System is the oldest library classification system to exist. The DDS breaks up all library materials into 10 broad areas by field of study, which is then broken up into smaller categories. It was first published in the United States in 1876 by Melvil Dewey, and has been revised and expanded through 23 major editions since then. The latest edition was issued in 2011. This classification system is used in 200,000 libraries in at least 135 countries. This system is used in most public school libraries. 

The 10 categories that make up the Dewey Decimal System are:

1. 000 General Knowledge
2. 100 Psychology and Philosophy
3. 200 Religions and Mythology
4. 300 Social Sciences and Folklore
5. 400 Languages and Grammar
6. 500 Math and Science
7. 600 Medicine and Technology
8. 700 Arts and Recreation
9. 800 Literature
10. 900 Geography and History

Within these 10 categories, there are smaller groupings that focuses on certain topic under the specific category. For example, under Literature, you can find books on plays, poetry, Shakespeare, and more. Each topic is assigned "call numbers", which helps keep the books organized by section, category, and is easy to find if needed. The purpose of the DDS is to provide information that can be accessible.

What are the advantages of using the Dewey Decimal System?

• This library classification system is universal. This system also uses numerical notation, which makes it much easier to use all over the world compared to using a system with a language/alphabetical system that is different depending on the country.
• Every topic is listed by subject, making it easy to narrow down what you are looking for.
• When it comes to locating the physical book, it is easy because they are separated by topic and call number. You simply locate the book number you are looking for and can find it easily in the library. 
• This system is developed and maintained in a national bibliographic agency, the Library of Congress.

What are the disadvantages of the Dewey Decimal System?

• Some books may be categorized in a different subject area. For example, a book on sports medicine can ideally be placed in 2 different sections. If you can't find it in the medicine section, it might be listed somewhere else that deals with sports. 
• The numerical part of the system may seem a little confusing to some people. If one book has a lot of numbers listed, they might get confused on where to look, especially if they are not familiar with the system. 

If I had my own media center/library in a school, I would continue to use this library classification system. I remember learning about the Dewey Decimal System and going about how to use it in my school's library when I was in elementary school. While I haven't had frequent visits to my town's library over the years, some of that information was still helpful to me when it came to using the library at my college for certain projects. There were books that contained specific information that I necessarily could not find on the Internet, or couldn't access. If I needed a certain book and it wasn't available at my library, I was able to find it in another library and try to obtain it. 

References

http://mcpl.info/childrens/how-use-dewey-decimal-system

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewey_Decimal_Classification

https://www.oclc.org/dewey/features/summaries.en.html