52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Challenge 24 = Library Classification Systems

Well since I was trained as a cataloguer and  it was one of my responsibilities during many years of my library career, I thought I'd better take part in this one.

When I took my training at Sheridan College, we learned both the Dewey Decimal Classification System and the Library of Congress system. Because the Dewey  Decimal System is the one used by most public libraries, we spent more time on it. The College Library used Library of Congress.

I explain to people that the Classification Number is the Address of the Book. Knowing it will help you quickly find  a specific book found listed in the catalog.

The Dewey Decimal System divides knowledge into 1000 different numbers. Each main field is a grouping of one hundred. As the number gets larger you define the subject matter more closely.

So where would a genealogist find books of interest?
000's - Generalities -  bibliographies and  information on libraries and archives.
100's - Paranormal, Philosophy and Psychology - ghost stories of an area
200's - Religion - information about religions, Church histories and biographies of ministers
300's - Sociology - voters' lists, elections, politicians, profiles of communities, information on different ethnic groups, transportation history, military history, education, school histories and registers, folktales and legends
400's - Language - Dictionaries
500's - Sciences -  native plants
600's - Applied Science - technology, inventions, medicines and home remedies, diseases, genetics, DNA, agriculture
700's - Arts and Crafts of a culture
800's - Literature - famous local writers
900's - Geography and History - geography of the area, maps, history of local, national and world events.

971.318 - is for history of Grey County

In the 900's you will find the 929 section.  This is the main number for genealogical materials.
With that number you can subdivide it more with a decimal.
929.1 How to
929.2 Family Histories
929.3 Sources - Census indexes, Newspaper index and extractions
929.4 Personal Names
929.5 Cemeteries - transcriptions
Local histories will be in the 940s to 999s depending on where you are.

After the number you will will find some letters which usually represent the first 3 or 5 letters of the author's surname and on occasion the first 3 or 5 letters of the title.

So as you can see, when doing genealogical and family research, you do not just look in the 900's.

For the Library of Congress Classification System, I  had to check the about.com database as it is so long since I worked with it and I never used it any of my work. When I worked in the college library as a student, we didn't catalog in house. The LC classification is made up of letters to divide knowledge into   areas.  The first letter represents one of 21 areas.The second letter divides into a sub-category. The numbers that follow further subdivide the topic.

CS - is the section where the books specific to genealogy would be located.

Assigning the classification number, which determines where the book or other item is found in the library, is only one aspect of the cataloging process. There is also the descriptive details and the subject, title and added entries for illustrators and additional authors.






© 2010 Janet Iles

52 weeks to better genealogy - Challenge #4 - Interlibrary Loan

The  Interlibrary loan service at my local library is one I am quite familiar with as I have used it from both sides of the desk.  Most of my requests are for microfilm but the process is quite similar for requesting a book.

Before requesting a book, I make sure that it isn't already in the library's collection.

What can be interlibrary loaned is primarily a decision of the holding library. A library may restrict the loan of their reference materials, rare or fragile items or one of a kind items or books on deposit from an organization that have stipulated that materials are not to loaned outside of the library.  Books published during the past year, as a general practice, are not loaned. Some libraries will loan books but will stipulate that the books can only be used in the borrowing library.

To have the best success in obtaining a book that I would like to borrow, I will do some preliminary research. I may have heard about a book or saw it in a bibliography but I want to make sure that I have the correct information.

1. Search InfoOntario  This database searches many of the Southern and Northern Ontario library databases The search can also be limited to a region. As a guest, choose Bibsearch to begin. You can do a simple or advanced search.  It will not tell you if the book is currently on the shelf but you will get the bibliographic information and the classification number for each library that has the book.
2. If I can't find the book in that database, I will check the Toronto Public Library system catalogue.
3. Finally, I would check Worldcat. Not all libraries are in this database.

The information that our library needs to begin the interlibrary loan process:

1. Your name, library card number (card must be in good standing) and telephone number and/or email
address.
2. The author (last name, first name)
3. The full title
4. Year of publication
5. Publisher
6. ISBN - International Standard Book Number (older books will not have this number).

You will be asked if you are willing to pay a fee if the book comes from a library that charges (sometimes there is a charge for books from universities).

This information is put on the interlibrary loan slip for books that are available from the reference desk staff.  This information is then passed on to the Interlibrary Loan Staff person who begins the search process through the INFO system.

Now, I have to be patient as it can take sometimes four to six weeks for the book to arrive. It will depend on what libraries have the book, whether it is on the shelf or not and from how far away the book has to come. Sometimes, you are really lucky and it will come quickly.

When the book arrives, I will be notified. The loan period is set by the loaning library so I want to get to the library as soon as possible so I have the maximum benefit of the time.

Interlibrary loan is a wonderful service.


© 2010 Janet Iles

What am I expert on?

This week's blogging prompt is to write about what you are an expert on in genealogy? An interesting question.

I won't bore everyone with a list of things that I am not an expert on. With genealogy, there is always something to learn even when it is your specialty.

So my expertise? - public library research. Trained as a library technician at Sheridan College Oakville, I worked all my library career at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library (30+ years). I was a very happy person when local history and genealogy cataloguing became part of my many responsibilities and duties. It is doing that work that really sparked my own interest in genealogical research. I had my degree in history that I earned on a part-time basis as I worked full-time at the library.

I would like to share a couple of things that I have learned from both sides of the desk.

Be prepared when going to research.

• If you have never done genealogical research, perhaps a good place to start would be to borrow and read some basic how to books. There are good resources on the Internet too, but I like to get comfortable and read a book.
• If you are venturing into a new area of research, check to see what resources your library has on learning about that area.
• If you are travelling to your ancestors' home area, research what repositories are in the area -- libraries, archives, etc. What can you research from home so that you can make use of your time while you are away?
• Find out, if you can, what a repository has to offer before you go. Does it have any specialties? From the library's online catalog and the library's website you may get a good insight into what is available. The collection may be strong for the local area but have very little about other provinces/states or countries.
• If a community has a library and an archives - check what does each have to offer. You will want to make the best use of your time at each place. When are they open?
• Have a goal of what you would like to learn before you go.
• Take your needed material -- pencils, list of surnames, laptop, and a chart with key names and dates, etc.
• If you are not familiar with all the resources of a collection, plan on how you are going to word your request for help. Library staff do not have the time to hear your family's history. Be prepared for the "reference interview".

So what does the reference librarian need to know?

• Is there a particular resource you wish to consult?
• Time and place - What time period and for what locality? Not all libraries even with large collections will have everything and records may not exist for that time or place.
• Family name - perhaps they have a family history for that family.
  

Be open to suggestions from the staff concerning sources of information that are not listed in the catalogues, etc. Not everything is in the catalog or in an index.

If you have time, while you are at a library (or other repositories) and the collection is on open, public shelving, browse through the collection. You may never know what you may find.

I like to check other family histories. This is very important in an area where your family has stayed for awhile. [When I was cataloguing family histories, I would leaf through the family histories to gain familiarity with the collection to better answer questions. Sometimes, I was pleasantly surprised to find my own family connections in books where I had no known connection.]

Don't be afraid to ask for help.

• Although, not all reference staff will have a specialty in local history and genealogy, we love to answer questions and guide people to appropriate resources.
• Remember, the reference librarian can not do your research for you.
• Each piece of equipment has its own peculiarities. You may need a lesson.

When I worked on the reference desk, I loved helping people with their genealogical and local history questions. I would get very excited when someone came to the reference desk and said they wanted to work on their genealogical research.

The above are a few of my suggestions. Do you have any others to add that you have gained through your own experience on either side of the desk?

"A New Song For The Modern Librarian"

http://addywillknow.pbwiki.com/ Check out this wiki for the song "Addy will know" . A song about a librarian. -- a tribute to the "modern librarian" Listen to the song. The words are also given. - Fun!

Library 2.0 - final week of this current learning adventure

On July 17, I began this learning adventure with library and adult learning centre staff. Now it is the time to reflect on this learning adventure.

I have enjoyed the experience -- especially because it has been a shared experience - through:

• talking with other participants
• reading the blogs and discovering what they have accomplished during the week's activities and celebrating with them their successes
• wondering - how did they do that especially when I was unsuccessful
• knowing that there was help available when it was needed
• learning more about the interests of other staff members

This learning experience has given me the opportunity to explore some of the features of Web 2.0 that I likely would not have tried without this more formal structure. It gave me the impetus to start a blog. Trying different things with the blog has given me the confidence to make changes with the three web sites that I design, administer, update etc. After embedding a Google map on my blog article, I added maps to two of the web sites.

I was not aware of many web 2.0 features. I will now go back an read two articles in Internet Genealogy magazine with better understanding

Marian Press, "In search of the Web 2.0" May 2007, p. 46-48
Marian Press, "In search of the Web 2.0: Part Two" July 2007, p. 51-54.

Internet Genealogy site A companion site is Family Chronicle

Having experienced creating and authoring a blog, it has lead me to wonder if a blog would be a useful tool for communication for organizations to which I belong.

I found that it is fun and easy to share photographs with others using both Flickr and the blog. I will continue to do this.

Now that staff members have had the opportunity to participate in Library 2.0, I believe it is important we follow through. We need to determine what have we learned through this experience that we could apply to our own library or adult learning centre. Changes do not have to be done quickly but through thoughtful considerations there may be initiatives that may benefit our current and future clientele.

What could be done differently, if this type of learning experience would be offered again? Perhaps a different time of year? I found the private wiki worked well for getting assignments and messages concerning winners, advice on passwords, etc.

I have enjoyed being able to participate in this activity. Thanks for asking me. When I began this, I didn't know I would be back filling in some shifts at the reference desk. If I was given the opportunity to join staff on future learning experiences, I am sure I would say yes.

Net Library - expanding your library's resources

I had previously set up my Net Library account at the Reference Desk at OSNGUPL but I had only checked it out so that I could help people at the reference desk. I did not realize that audio e-books were available for download. I enjoy mysteries and there were many to choose from. I wanted to download a Spanish learning audio e-book but it indicated that it was already checked out. Instead I downloaded an audio German language learning e-book. It took about 5 minutes to download the radio quality book as I would be listening to it at the computer. It gives you a license to use it for 7 days. After it is downloaded you have to have the licenced verified and to permit Active X to run.

The speakers were clear. As a visual learner, I would like to see what I am hearing, although for learning languages you do have to develop your ear. It has been awhile since I have studied German or spoken the language so my ear needs to be retrained. If I had a MP3 player, I could listen to the e-book while I was walking or doing other work.

Now, I will have to remind myself that I have some German to learn. I may go back and ask to be notified when the Spanish learning audio e-book is available.

There are a number of e-books that I might consult if the book was not available in the library. I took a look at Soaring on your strengths. OSNGUPL does not have this book in its collection. I may want to read more on-line or borrow the book on interlibrary loan. This book would tie into the book I am currently reading -- The success principles : how to get from where you are to where you want to be by Jack Canfield (author of Chicken Soup for the Soul books) http://www.successprinciples.com/

SirsiDynix Institute

I thought I'd talk a little more about the SirsiDynix Institute. If you work in a library and are not familiar with this Institute, I suggest you visit their site. It provides a great "free" learning opportunity for library staff. In addition to the podcasts, you can attend the events live. To participate in the live "conferences" or web seminars you need to pre-register.

You can also go to see the archived video presentation that that gives you the visual along with the audio information. One past topic was RSS feeds. The video starts quickly and it is smooth listening & viewing.

The August 14, 2007 session was on creating a 2.0 Library. (link to the video version). What I found interesting about this session was in the first half, the speaker talked about a project in their library that was not a technology based application. They created a "Travel neighbourhood" where resources relating to travel were put in a separate section. You could still find a specific title via the catalog but it was great for browsing too. Circulation improved. The second half dealt with the library's web site.

For your information OSNGUPL is a SirsiDynix customer with our Unicorn library management software.

Podcasts - learning method great for auditory learners

Podcasts are another learning vehicle. Each of us learn in different ways -- seeing (visual learners) hearing (auditory learners) and by doing (tactile learners). Generally, we have a favourite learning style. This web site outlines more learning styles.

If you learn well by listening, podcasts are made for you. There are a number of ways to find podcasts. There are directories for this specific purpose. I was amazed at the number of podcasts that are available on a wide range of topics. I like to know the background of the podcaster - what are their qualifications?

A wiki article entitled Podcasting 101 includes LIS friendly podcasts as well as an explanation of podcasts.

Through a search relating to Library 2.0 at http://podcastalley.com/ , I found the SirsiDynix Insitute podcasts. These are learning podcasts for those working in libraries. The challenge to downloading is the time that it takes to do so. I tried a 28 MB file and it took 15 minutes to download. Most of the files are over 50 MB. Using this means, it appears you can only download and listen on your computer but not to save them to listen to later. This is a link to the SirsiDynix Institute website.

I added a Bloglines feed for Family Roots Radio. I had heard about this through a mailing list. Last season they did 13 sessions. What I like about this set is that there are different options. They maintain a website where you can find the Internet links they are talking about and follow the instructions as you listen to the podcast. I only listened to one of the programs live last year as I always seemed to be busy when they were on at 4 p.m. EST on Thursdays. The host of the radio program is noted professional genealogist Kory Meyerink. Profiles of the guest speakers are outlined on the web site. When I was in Salt Lake City for a research academy course through the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, he was one of my instructors.

I have downloaded several to my hard drive (this is one of the options) and I want to download the rest. While I download the files, I just go about my household chores. By having the web site available. several learning styles are accommodated at the same time. - auditory, visual and tactile (if you visit the web sites as they talk about them.).

I hope that they will continue the series. Genealogists and reference librarians serving genealogists will find this series helpful.

You Tube - more comments

You Tube - I found it to be an interesting site although I don't know if I would be a regular visitor. I viewed the Web 2.0 clip and the Library 2.0 clip that were suggested in this week's learning activities. Both were well done and both showed how things have changed and are changing. It got me to thinking about how our library could use the best features of Library 2.0.

The You Tube has lots on each page but it is fairly easy to navigate. Time goes by too quickly when you are exploring. - Many videos come under "play" but there are some that are learning tools. In searching, I found tags are given but there be many variations given by different posters as there has been on many of the sites we have used during this learning experience.

Activity 17 - wikis - part two

I played in the sandbox and shared some favourites. With the wysiwyg interface, it is much easier to add information than it is for wikipedia. Wikipedia uses coding for different formats e.g. italics is done by putting single quotes around the title. I have never added information to wikipedia but I looked at a help file.

The pages were set up for us so that gave a start to the process. I had a bit of trouble adding the photo but in the end it worked out. I read the help file. I just needed to scroll down the page to get to the section I needed.

I added my favourites for a book, a place and food.

Activity 16 - Wikis

I visited the various wiki sites mentioned. I skimmed a study done by John Walker where he studied the differences between wikis and blogs. His 99 page work (I skimmed parts) includes a study he undertook. He concluded that wikis depend on activity participation by individuals who support the aims of the wiki for them to be successful. Walker felt that they were not easy to use if one wanted to make a "meaningful contribution".

Where could they be used in a library setting? staff only on a private wiki- proceedure manuals could be developed using a wiki. Staff could work on this together

for the public - the subject guides at St. Joseph's County Public Library gave a good example of a use of a wiki. Reading clubs for adults where not everyone was reading the same book. At Princton Public Library - booklovers wiki - participants reviewed and rated books. The titles were linked to their catalog.

In Walker's study he included a chart with the comparisons. Wikis were shown to be best for documents with a longer life and that you would expect to edit and refine as more is learnt.

Library 2.0

The purpose given for Library 2.0 is that libraries should be user driven. I see a big use of technology to reach outside a library's walls to people who may not currently use a library's resources by entering the building.


Having looked at several library and book related blogs, I can see the value of providing book reviews and discussions on books - a virtual book club. Blogs too can be a great forum to advertize and discuss events at the library [to get feedback and ideas for future events].


When I read the articles in OCLC Next Space Newsletter, I did not do it from the screen but from copies that I printed out. Why? Because I find it hard to read anything on the screen that is more than a page long or that has long paragraphs. I like to get away from the computer to read.


When a library is looking at changes, the people who are already using the library in the more traditional fashion must not be forgotten. Not all people have computers or have high speed Internet. This may be for economic reasons not just an availability issue. Balance - is necessary. Each library needs to evaluate how they can best serve their current clientele as well as reaching out to potential members.

Through this learning experience, it is interesting to see what new is happening. It raises so many questions - Will funding forumulas for public libraries have to change if staff time and energies are used to provide resources for people who never enter the building or become members? Will there be members? Are more trees used for paper resources if people have to print out information in order to read it? How do you decide what to purchase in print format or only have available in electronic format?

Tagging - My cataloguing background comes through when I want consistency and some type of "authority files" so I am happy with sites that allow you to see your tags or pop up already used tags to choose from as you begin to type. I like that it is easy in del.icio.us to make global changes to tags. Can that be done in Blogger? - I am not sure about the idea about allowing people to tag in library catalogues? Would they be visible to everyone or only to themselves?

[I lost Internet connections at this point. So, my final paragraph was lost. Perhaps, a good reason to type up the information in a wordprocessor first.].

How will publishing change? How will writers be compensated for their work?

In the last 30 years, I have seen many changes in the public library world on how we find and provide information to people. At OSNGUPL, we waited and observed other libraries before we began the journey to become an automated library. I think that was a good thing. What will happen in the future? I don't know, but I know that it will be different.