Choosing a Cataloging System

When choosing a classification (call number system) for your library, consider the following issues: Do you have Judaica only or a broad collection with a Judaica component? Do you have staff with the time and training to create call numbers or do you need find cataloging with a call number included?

This chart of available choices lists their advantages and disadvantages.

Suggested reading:

Weinberg, Bella Hass "Judaica classification schemes for synagogues and school libraries: a structural analysis," Judaica Librarianship. V. 1:1 Fall 1983  pp. 26-30.

Levy, Dr. David B. "Ancient to Modern Jewish Classification Systems", 2001

Obtaining Cataloging Information from Other Sources

There are a number of ways to obtain cataloging for books and the other items in your library. The first place to look is in the book for the CIP—cataloging in publication, which can be copied onto paper or digital format. The web has made obtaining free cataloging very easy.

The Library of Congress's MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) records, available from their online catalog, may be downloaded directly into many library automation systems. Services such as OCLC and Marcive, Brodart, and local library consortia, can provide cataloging in both paper and digital format for a fee.

Many Judaica libraries have made their catalogs accessible online. For new books, library vendors such as Baker & Taylor and Brodart, will provide cataloging for an additional fee with your purchase.

If you purchase software capable of z39.50 searches, you will be able to download cataloging directly from some libraries into your library's own automation system. One such product is BookWhere. Information on how to download cataloging information from Israeli libraries via the Z39.50 protocol from MALMAD--MALMAD - Israel Center for Digital Information Services: Z39.50 Access to malmad databases Includes RAMBI, the Israel Union List and the National Library Name Authority File.

The cataloging information may also contain classification information, which is not the same thing. A quick distinction is that cataloging describes an item, while classification organizes its placement within the collection, summed up as "what" vs. "where." Classification systems include the Dewey Decimal System, Library of Congress, Weine, and Elazar. The last two are classification systems for libraries of Judaica.

The Central Cataloging Service (Sinai Temple Blumenthal Library) helps Judaica librarians and lay people who need to catalog books into the Elazar classification systems. It is available electronically. 

Transliterating Hebrew

The Library of Congress has a romanization chart for transliterating Hebrew characters into Latin letters. Additional information about Hebrew cataloging issues is available from Rachel Simon, who, in collaboration with Paul Maher and Joan Biella, has created a useful Hebrew cataloging resource.