This department of the library is responsible for acquisitions (ordering and receiving material), cataloging (preparing the record for the catalog), classification (assigning call numbers), and physical processing (preparing the item for the shelves). |
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The Technical Services Department receives materials as ordered items (mostly requested by faculty), as gifts, and through the Federal Depository Library Program. When gifts are received by the department, the decision is made, with the assistance of the Reference Department, to either add the item to the collection or to place it in the library's book sale. Booth Library is a member of OCLC (Online Computer Library Center, Inc.) which is the world's largest library consortium whose members share cataloging records. The Technical Services Department uses the shared database to catalog and classify items that will be placed in the collection and to prepare records for those items that will appear in the library's catalog. A classification system is used to assign identifying numbers (call numbers) to items to be placed and later located on the shelf. The library classifies most of its books according to the Library of Congress Classification system; this system allows materials to generally be grouped together by subject. Physical processing or preparing of items for the shelves includes attaching labels and barcodes, and stamping with the library's name and address to indicate ownership. Booth Library is a partial government document depository receiving thousands of items covering numerous topics. Most of these materials are assigned Superintendent of Document Classification numbers instead of Library of Congress Classification numbers, and they may be more difficult to locate. Ask for help at the Reference Desk if you are having trouble finding a government document or any other information in the library. To find out more about government documents click here. |
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