Do we?

I just had my last cataloging class, and have completed about 1/2 of my take-home final. I think it was working on the final that made this cartoon so funny to me. Like, maniacal laughter that ends in gasps.

Today was the first day that we really got into the way cataloging is seen in the library science world. I didn’t want to take a cataloging class (sorry, Mom!) because I’m easily frustrated at systems that don’t work well. Between library catalogs not containing perfect data, and being esoteric and user-unfriendly, I find myself hating our stodgy systems that we’re clinging to. I use Amazon to find books that I know are in our catalog. That doesn’t make me want to learn about cataloging.

So now that I’ve completed the course (and looking to get an A! Hi Mom!) I can say that I like the eloquence of the system, and imperfections are due to natural human mistakes, so it’s kind of a cool system, as long as you’re well versed in it.

As a patron, I still loathe it.

I have a lot more thoughts about copy cataloging, outsourcing, Googlezon, and MARC spinning around in my head, and I can’t wait to have long conversations about it over drinks with other librarians. WoOt.