So this has been a quiet semester here on my blog. I have been concentrating on my Library Science classes so I haven't needed the blog for classes. I have learned about cataloging and collection development though. Its a lot more complicated than it appears on the outside - Just buy books and check them out!
Cataloging is an exact science and one I am still not sure I understand completely. Basically, the way you catalog them determines how people find them and once you think of specific details you can see how that becomes complicated very quickly. How do you catalog a book by HG Wells. Do you enter his name as HG Wells, H.G. Wells or spell it out? Picking one eliminates anyone searching for the name the alternate way. Believe it or not, there are librarian rules for how to approach those problems.
Collection development is also more complicated than just buying books. You have to buy the right books, spend the school money wisely, and do your best to avoid censorship or bias. The library often has one of the largest budgets the school hands out so it makes sense they would want that money well spent. The key is buy with a purpose and always be able to justify the money you spend.
Next semester is going to be crazy, but fun. I am still concentrating on Library courses so I am taking my Library Administration and my Library Practicum course. The Practicum course will require me to spend a minimum of 165 hours working in my school library and officially assign Tammy Butler as my mentor. She has always been that, just unofficially. She has really helped me out with questions as I go along and has answered all my silly questions about collections, reference materials and cataloging. The only class I will have left in Library after next spring is Young Adult Literature and that one should be my favorite - that's why I saved it for last.
I am still expecting to graduate in the Spring of 2017. Right now that seems like a long way off, but really I only have 18 hours to go.
Teaching is going well and now that football season is over, all I have to focus on is getting our Beta Club ready for state convention in January. That is much more complicated than it seems, especially with 104 members. Its like herding ducks! Ha! They are good kids though and fun to hang out with. I am expecting great things from them this year at convention. I will keep you posted on how it turns out.
