Bibliographic function

·        Bibliographic function

In library and information science, cataloguing (or cataloguing) is the process of creating metadata representing information resources, such as books, sound recordings, moving images, etc. Cataloguing provides information such as creator names, titles, and subject terms that describe resources, typically through the creation of bibliographic records. The records serve as surrogates for the stored information resources. Since the 1970s these metadata are in machine-readable form and are indexed by information retrieval tools, such as bibliographic databases or search engines. While typically the cataloging process results in the production of library catalogues, it also produces other types of discovery tools for documents and collections.

Bibliographic control provides the philosophical basis of cataloguing defining the rules for sufficiently describing information resources to enable users to find and select the most appropriate resource. A cataloguer is an individual responsible for the processes of description, subject analysis, classification, and authority control of library materials. Cataloguers serve as the "foundation of all library service, as they are the ones who organize information in such a way as to make it easily accesses.

Six functions of bibliographic control

Ronald Hagler identified six functions of bibliographic control.

·        "Identifying the existence of all types of information resources as they are made available. The existence and identity of an information resource must be known before it can be found.

·        "Identifying the works contained within those information resources or as parts of them. Depending on the level of granularity required, multiple works may be contained in a single package, or one work may span multiple packages. For example, is a single photo considered an information resource? Or can a collection of photos be considered an information resource?

·        "Systematically pulling together these information resources into collections in libraries, archives, museums, and Internet communication files, and other such depositories. Essentially, acquiring these items into collections so that they can be of use to the user.

·        "Producing lists of these information resources prepared according to standard rules for citation. Examples of such retrieval aids include library catalogue, indexes, archival finding aids, etc.

·        "Providing name, title, subject, and other useful access to these information resources. Ideally, there should be many ways to find an item so there should be multiple access points. There must be enough metadata in the surrogate record so users can successfully find the information resource they are looking for. These access points should be consistent, which can be achieved through authority control.

·        "Providing the means of locating each information resource or a copy of it. In libraries, the online public access catalogue (OPAC) can give the user location information (a call number for example) and indicate whether the item is available.

Instruction Function

Louis shore show to two types

·        Informal library teaching

·        Formal library teaching