REVIEWS

Learn Descriptive Cataloging. By Mary Mortimer. Library Basics Series, 3. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press in cooperation with DocMatrix Pty Ltd, 2000. 254 pp. US$35.00 soft ISBN 0810836939

Learn Descriptive Cataloguing is a 17-chapter coursebook on cataloguing that covers the fundamentals of descriptive cataloguing, using AACR2 and MARC formats. Each chapter contains many examples and exercises, with answers provided at the end of the book.

The 17 chapters cover all aspects of cataloguing, beginning with its nature and purpose (Chapter 1), the nature of bibliographic records (Chapter 2), ISBN and AACR2 (Chapters 3 and 4), MARC (Chapter 5). Chapters 6-16 deal with the specifics of cataloguing, starting with areas of description (Chapter 6) and then moving through description of monographs, description of serials, description of non-book materials, access points (main and added entries), authority control, headings, series entries, uniform titles. Obviously the author has been careful to include all topics that the novice cataloguer using AACR2 will need to know, and she does this very comprehensively.

A particular strength of the work is the exercises in each chapter, which are practical, clear and adequately illustrate the principal points to be learned in each chapter. The would be useful for tutorial groups, as well as for self-directed learning in view of the answers that are provided at the end of the book.

As this book refers to AACR2 throughout, it must be used in conjunction with this manual, both the second edition and its revision. It is recommended especially to teachers of cataloguing and to cataloguers seeking to refresh their skills in specific aspects of cataloguing.

Souad Hammad
Lebanese University

Learn Library of Congress Classification. By Helen Dittmann and Jane Hardy. Library Basics, 2. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2000. 171 pp. US$29.50 soft ISBN 0810836963

This training manual on the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) uses selected schedules to provide examples and exercises that portray and reinforce the general principles of this classification scheme which apply across all schedules, particularly B-BJ, H, L, N, Q, R, S and T.

The book is divided into eight chapters, each of which contains a brief introduction to the content, then the exercises and answers. The first chapter is a general introduction to LCC, with a brief explanation of other kinds of classification. The second chapter focuses on the LCC divisions (schedules, notation, index), their advantages and disadvantages. Chapter 3 explains the main classes, subclasses and schedules. The physical format of the schedules is described, together with a detailed summary of the topics and subtopics in the schedules. At the end of this chapter there is also a brief explanation of the notes and scope notes with illustrations and practical examples.

Chapter 4 deals with building call numbers and covers the various types (corporate authors, periodicals, topical Cutters, shelving Cutters, area Cutters, conditions for using double Cutters, etc.). Chapter 5, on the LCC tables, is the biggest chapter. It starts with the simplest tables and progresses to the more complicated; exercises are given to cover the first four tables in the schedules. Chapter 6 explains shelving procedures, while Chapter 7 offers an electronic version of the schedules and LC subject headings through a series of �infobases� - one can move around the infobases through hypertext links, and each infobase is indexed to allow searching. A demonstration version of this product can be downloaded from LC Web site. Chapter 8 consists primarily of practical exercises, and the work concludes with answers for all chapter exercises plus a glossary.

Learn Library of Congress Classification is a useful work for those who teach and those who need to learn LCC. It is presented in simple and straightforward English, making it easy to use in a variety of professional and para-professional settings.

Souad Hammad
Lebanese University

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