[CALIBK12] Biography Subject Tag?

[Donna Purcell]

In my library, all my collective biographies or 920 (with the first 3
letters of the author) and individual biographies are 921 (with the full
last name of the subject).  When the students search on the computer,
they just type in 921 and all the biographies pop up. And because I use
the full last name, they know immediately who the book is about.  This
way I don't have to worry if "biography" is in the subject line.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Donna Purcell

Library Media Technician

Jefferson Middle School

Oceanside, CA  92054

(760) 757-6060 x233

________________________________

From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu
[mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Kelly Sunderman
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 8:32 AM
To: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] Biography Subject Tag?

 

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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