[CALIBK12] Biography Subject Tag?

[Kelly Sunderman]

Thanks to everyone for their responses.  Just to clarify, I'm more concerned about the proper place to put the word "Biographies"  in the MARC record without additional subjects (e.g. Women, California, Authors, etc.) so that ALL biographies come up when a student searches "Biographies."   All of our biographies, per our district standard, are in one section, with call numbers B + first 3 letters of subject's last name.

I try to have the kids use the catalog as much as possible so they can get used to the concept of using a catalog.  I understand that I can guide them to the Biography section, but really want them to be able to have a successful catalog search whenever possible so that they can get used to that process of using the catalog so that they feel empowered to find things on their own.  I'm the obnoxious library lady who makes them do most of the work...though I will always help them in the end if they really can't figure it out. :)

Thank you all again for your help with this. :)  I really value the expertise of the group.

~Kelly

From: Bjork, Linda [mailto:lbjork at powayusd.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 7:41 AM
To: Kelly Sunderman
Subject: RE: [CALIBK12] Biography Subject Tag?

All of my biographies are in one section of the library.  It's the Biography section.   Public libraries do this also.
My spine label looks like this:

B
OBA

B and then the famous person's last name (first three letters).

Linda Bjork

Teacher Librarian

Poway Unified School District

Twin Peaks Middle School

Meadowbrook Middle School

lbjork at powayusd.com

________________________________
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu on behalf of Kelly Sunderman
Sent: Wed 02/04/09 3:12 PM
To: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: [CALIBK12] Biography Subject Tag?
I'm having an issue with biographies. I have a feeling it may be an obvious answer that I should know, but my cataloging resources have not helped me to find a definitive answer.  So. . . I thought I'd ask my fellow Calibbers.

I know it is customary to use the 6XX fields to tag specifics when it comes to biographies, but is there a protocol if I want to put just a "Biographies" tag on all biographical items, so that kids can search and find ALL of the biographies we have in the library?  Would I put that in 655, under genre heading?  658, for curriculum (that seems to be more for linking standards to a text)?   Should this be a local heading, because it is a unique subject tag in my library?

I realize that in a perfect world, we would ALWAYS have time to talk to kids about using subject headings when they search for things, and there search would be a little more specific than "biographies." However, I also know that sometimes teachers (or even teacher librarians) want to search to see all biographies that are available.  My goal is for a patron to be able to type in "Biographies" and get a  comprehensive list of our biographical items.

Thanks for any guidance you can offer.

Kelly Sunderman
Lakeside Middle School
Teacher Librarian/ LAN Admin
(949) 936-6115

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