Librarians in Training: Cataloguing Odd Items

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In 1906, Melvil Dewey wrote that ‘what we call books have no exclusive rights in a library. The name “library” has lost its etymologic meaning and means not a collection of books, but the central agency for disseminating information, innocent recreation or, best of all, inspiration among the people.’ Most libraries contain mostly books. But most libraries have other things in them too. Some of these things – films, musical recordings, maps, sheet music – have standard cataloguing practices. But what about flashcards, skeletons, jigsaws, bookstands, postage stamps, DVD players, and the many other odds and ends we collate, curate and circulate. Should they be catalogued? Perhaps. Can they be catalogued? Certainly. This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of cataloguing ‘realia.’ Examples will be provided for group cataloguing activities, but feel free to bring along your own unusual library materials too.

• You must be a staff member of one of the Cambridge libraries (College, FDL, Affiliated, Institution or UL) to attend this session.
• For further information please see our eligibility criteria

Number of sessions: 1