Thread by @jenniferlagarde

The 650 tag in a library marc record consists of subject headings that power search results in the OPAC. These terms are hierarchical, meaning that terms at the top of the list are prioritized in the search results. With that in mind, I shared this marc for @JerryCraft’s New…

Kid in one of my sessions at #NCTIES22, asking participants to think about:

📍 the existing subject headings as they appear here
📍their order
📍what’s missing from the current list, and…
📍what readers would have to search for in order to find this book in the catalog.

Then I asked them to consider this question: if we do nothing to update this record to reflect the issues at the heart of this book, what readers are least likely to find it? In my experience, the answer is very often those readers whose hearts need this book most.

From there, I suggested some updates to the record to make it more likely that this book will find its way to the readers who most need it -including Ts who may be interesting in these topics. Note: these are likely not official LOC/Sears subject hdgs. (That’s part of my point).

Next we looked at this record for Somewhere b/t Bitter and Sweet by @LaekanZeaKemp. What I notice most about this record is the use of outdated/harmful terms used as subject headings. While LOC has updated their recommendations for these terms, the change only occurred after…

decades of advocacy and, clearly, this record hasn’t been updated to reflect new language. Here are some suggested changes for this record, too. Others who have read this wonderful book can surely think of others.

The big question here is: what readers might be harmed by failing to update this book’s record? Again, I’m betting it’s the readers who need it most. That said, cataloging is not sexy or flashy, but updating records with equity, and our most vulnerable readers, in mind is an…

ex. of how to make the shift from surface level to systemic changes in libraries. Plus, if we do the work of standardizing our 650 tags, w/an equity focus, across the district (👀 @benkort @CascadeLibrary) things like inclusivity audits become much easier.

The complete session from #NCTIES22 can be found here:

bit.ly/ncties_radicals

Happy cataloging, y’all!

Updating to add: the steps required to update a record is different depending on your LMS. If your district has centralized cataloging, then the thing to do is organize a system for suggesting changes to marcs. In some districts I’ve worked with this has included the following:

1. Forming a committee to create a standard set of subject headings (for example, are you going to use LGBTQ or LGBTQIA or Queer, and what order will they be prioritized, etc). This list will never be exhaustive, but will give your cataloger a place to start. Then…

2. Create a system for librarians to suggest changes. This can be as simple as a Google form that asks for information like title, author, barcode of a single copy and suggested updates w/justification. If the cataloged has questions, they can defer to the committee. Finally…

3. Since you can’t possibly review every marc record in your collection start with micro collections. For example, you might identify marcs containing problematic or harmful language such as “oriental” to describe a person. Then use your list to update all those first. And so on.

OH. And one more thing: this is yet another reason why credentialed Teacher Librarians are essential. While anyone can be taught to upload marc records from a vendor, only a qualified Teacher Librarian understands how to interrogate and edit those records to best serve learners.