MIT 144F: Week4
Key Concepts from the Wolf and Wolf (1993) Article

Understand the general structure of the MARC Records

The Machine Readable Cataloguing Records are at the heart of an OPAC. They are derived from the old cataloguing cards. Like the old cards, they contain a very limited set of information. They are classic examples of what we call "Document Surrogates." Remember, if information is not in the MARC record it cannot be searched!

Suggestion:

• Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the MARC records.

Understand the structure and quirks of the LCSH

The Library of Congress Subject Headings are the principal source for subject descriptors in most OPACS. They have been compiling LCSH since 1898. Therfore, one must remember that some terms might be awkwardly phrased, out-of-date, use unobvious vocabulary, etc. LCSH is also criticized for being sexist, racist, etc. (reflecting its historical roots). It also reflects an American-centric viewpoint: remember, it is intended for use in the Library of Congress in the United States.

Suggestions:

• Make sure to read the introductory material found in Volume I.
• Have a copy handy when searching.
• Make sure that you understand:
  • The use of singular nouns for concepts
  • The use of plural nouns for objects
  • The rules governing the use of inversion for some multiterm headings
  • The type of subdivisions and how they are used:
    • topical
    • form
    • chronological
    • geographical
• Make sure that you understand the meaning of:
  • See references
  • See also references
  • RT = Related Term
  • BT = Broader Term
  • NT = Narrower Term
  • UF = Use from

Understand how Boolean searching works

Boolean searching in its pure form consists of creating sets of records using the primary operators: AND , OR , NOT . Because some Boolean searches can be complex the use of parantheses "(" and ")" is sometimes necessary to make sure that the operators are applied to appropriate terms. Take a look at my Boolean search examples. Before clicking over to my examples get pen and paper handy so you can create Venn diagrams to map out my search expressions

Suggestions:

• Find out what the OPAC defaults to when multiple terms are entered without Boolean operators.
• Use AND to narrow search
• Use OR to broaden search
• Use NOT to narrow search (use sparingly, however).
• Consider the use of a field search as a sub-type of AND
• Proximity searches (when available) can be used to give ANDing a "boost" in narrowing the search.
• Truncation is an ORing function: broadens search