EDITORIAL
This issue treats a number of the interesting formats of materials that
confront catalogers: films, sound recordings, electronic resources available
over the Internet, and conference proceedings.
Much, but not all of the focus of the current articles, is on descriptive
cataloging.
One of Cataloging & Classification Quarterly’s new features is the
Interviews column. In this issue
Martha Yee, an expert on the cataloging of films, answers a wide range of
questions and describes her passion for cataloging.
As a bonus she lists her personal favorites among the many films she has
cataloged and curated.
Two authors provide detailed guidelines for cataloging 78 rpm sound
recordings, in particular those containing jazz, blues, and popular music.
Many institutions have large collections of 78 rpm formats despite the
addition and current publishing of newer formats. On the newer side of materials with which catalogers must
deal, one author examines the literature to date of the cataloging of Internet
resources. The omnipresent and
often difficult topic of cataloging conference proceedings is explored in a
research project.
Another aspect of cataloging in the late 20th century that has
received considerable attention is the fullness of records.
The Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) has supported the developed
of the core record concept and has set standards for both core and full records.
Three authors report a study that looks at differences in access between
PCC core records and PCC full records.
Book reviews include three with a descriptive cataloging emphasis
including the descriptive cataloging of rare books, the cataloging of Hebrew
materials and the cataloging of audio-visual materials.
Authority work is featured in two books reviewed while subject analysis
and classification schedules are covered in one book each.
The News column is the last under the editorship of Elizabeth N.
Steinhagen. After five years of
compiling and disseminating cataloging news she will turn the column over to
Sandra K. Roe. I am delighted to
welcome Sandy to CCQ and to say that
Elizabeth will continue as a member of the CCQ
Editorial Board. Any journal
benefits considerably from its regular contributors and from its editorial board
members who do much of the behind the scenes work.
CCQ is fortunate to have so
many talented people lend their time and expertise to making it a valuable
journal.
As I have commented previously, despite the many online opportunities to
share cataloging issues and procedures in the online environment, conventional
publishing still has an important place. Although
I enjoy being online as much as anyone else and am totally hooked on email and
the World Wide Web as a reference tool to name just two of my uses, I am equally
committed to print publishing. Along
that line, one of my unexpected delights has been being an editor, despite the
fact that on my own I would never have thought of editing as something I would
enjoy or for which I am suited. However,
Peter Gellatly, for many years the editor of Serials
Librarian and later Editor-in-chief of the library science publications for
Haworth Press, apparently recognized a match and approached me back in 1984
about editing Cataloging &
Classification Quarterly. Over
the years I appreciated many times Peter’s gentle guidance and wise counsel.
With his death in October 1999 I lost a valued mentor and colleague.
More importantly Peter was key to developing many journals in library and
information science that provide valuable information to readers around the
world. The journals and numerous
books for which he had direct or indirect responsibility constitute his true
legacy. He truly deserved the
Bowker/Ulrich’s Serials Librarianship Award that he received in 1995, but his
contributions to the field extend far beyond the journal with which he was most
closely identified. Peter Gellatly
was proof that one person can make a difference!
Any one reading CCQ and the
other Haworth information and library science journals can well say “Thank
you, Peter.”
Yet as we remember the past and enjoy the present, we need to prepare for
the future. In that regard I look forward to receiving manuscripts for
consideration for publication (either via postal mail or as an attached file to
email) and to any of your ideas and suggestions for topics to be covered either
in single articles or in theme issues. You
can reach me by email at: rccarter@nauticom.net
or by telephone at (724) 940-4192 and fax at (724) 940-4193.
My postal address is: 121 Pikemont Dr., Wexford, PA
15090-8447.
- Ruth C. Carter