Upcoming

Just Enough to be Dangerous: Cataloging for Non-Catalogers

From $ 60 usd
Register
Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Workshop Pricing:

Single Registration Pricing

  • Member: $ 60.00
  • Non-Member: $ 120.00

Group Registration Pricing

  • Member: $ 150.00
  • Non-Member: $ 300.00

Class Description: Have you thought that those catalogers have been talking a new language lately? Does it sound like Alphabet Soup is being served in Tech Services? You may have figured out that RDA is Resource Description & Access (the new cataloging standard, implemented in 2013 to replace AACR2) but don’t understand exactly what it does.  And what is meant by “authority control”? And what in the world is BibFrame?

This overview course for non-catalogers will introduce the theory behind bibliographic records, authority work and workflows.  If you are a school media specialist or a solo librarian, this course will give you the background to prepare for introductory cataloging courses. The course will answer these questions: What do catalogers do? Why do catalogers do the things the way they do? How do catalogers do what they do? You will see demonstrations of how a cataloger creates a record from scratch, and all the decisions that are involved. Also, demonstrations of “copy cataloging” (finding and using an existing record from another resource) and the decisions that are involved in editing and using such a record.  The course is not designed to teach you to catalog but rather to understand what cataloging is all about.

Prerequisites:

  • None

Credits:

  • 2 Library Education Units (LEUs) for Indiana library staff
  • 2 Contact hours for all other library staff
  • 2 SCECHs for Michigan school library staff
  • 2 PGPs for Indiana school library staff

Registration Information:

  • You will receive a general email confirmation immediately upon successfully registering
  • The login and preparation email for the workshop will be sent prior to the training date
  • If you have not received your login and preparation email by noon of the day prior to the workshop, please email training@mcls.org to request it

Webinar instructions to fully participate in the workshop:

  • Access the webinar presentation via the Zoom link provided in the login and preparation email
  • Access the class materials via the Google Drive link provided in the login and preparation email
  • Class materials may be printed ahead of time if desired
  • Open and monitor chat within the Zoom meeting
  • We recommend updating to the latest version of Zoom prior to the workshop

For Groups:

  • Only one person (the group contact who registered or the person they designate) is allowed to join the Zoom meeting
  • This person should project their screen to the group attendees so that the Zoom presentation and chat are visible to all
  • This person should share the class materials link with the group attendees prior to the workshop so they are able to view the materials on their own device. Materials may also be printed ahead of time if desired.

MCLS Code of Conduct for meeting and event participants: MCLS is dedicated to providing a harassment-free environment at all meetings and events, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of meeting participants in any form. Attendees violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the meeting at the discretion of MCLS. Our complete code of conduct and pricing information can be found here.

Instructors

Dana Kemp

Contact us

Location

Virtual Workshop via Zoom

Classifications

Categories
  • Cataloging