ebook Call Numbers

[Matthew Goddard]

Seems there's a division of practice on this and it'd be interesting to get to the bottom of what accounts for it. The function(s) of call numbers definitely seems to be relevant but I suspect it goes deeper.

For my part, I pretty strongly agree with those advocating for display of call numbers on e-books for members. (The necessity of e-book call numbers at least for staff use seems to be beyond dispute-when a dept. chair wants a list of all titles relevant to her new program proposal, she means *all* titles, print or e-, to take just one example.) Most of our more advanced users (grad students and faculty) know the call number ranges relevant to their fields, and it's valuable to them to be able to browse a list that combines all items in their field, print, e-, a/v, whatever. Additionally, I've sometimes worked with students who were able to identify relevant LCC classes from call numbers on relevant e-books and from there find more relevant print books on the shelves.

We try to train students to look at the location of the item in addition to the call number. Even setting aside e-books, the assumption that a call number by itself will take them to the item is false, as we have several different locations besides the stacks.

Not everyone at my institution agrees. There certainly was some confusion among our members when e-books were first introduced to the catalog, but that's since been mitigated by prominent "e-book" item type icons, not to mention the time to get used to it. It's an interesting question, so thanks to Jennifer for asking it.

Matthew


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Matthew W. Goddard
Digital Services Librarian
Annie Gabriel Library
California Baptist University
(951) 343-4365
http://www.calbaptist.edu/library
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From: Web technologies in libraries [mailto:WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Mitchell, Michael
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 12:56 PM
To: WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [WEB4LIB] ebook Call Numbers

No. Call numbers are for collocation of topics. Otherwise accession numbers would be all you'd need. And then you'd have a warehouse, not a library.


Michael Mitchell
Technical Services Librarian
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX
Michael.mitchell at brazosport.edu



From: Web technologies in libraries [mailto:WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Walz, Jennifer
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 2:48 PM
To: WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [WEB4LIB] ebook Call Numbers

Yes.   That is why we do NOT put call numbers on our ebooks.  EVERY single ebook has a SINGLE call number - it says ELECTRONIC BOOK.   This means it is not a physical book with a physical location.

 Call numbers are for location purposes.   There are OTHER ways to put together reports or lists by subject.

Jennifer
--------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Walz, MLS - Head of Research & Distance Services
Kinlaw Library -  Asbury University
One Macklem Drive, Wilmore, KY 40390
859-858-3511 ext. 2269
jlwalz at asbury.edu

From: Web technologies in libraries [mailto:WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Harris, Jennifer
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 2:35 PM
To: WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [WEB4LIB] ebook Call Numbers


I understand that a lot of people use call numbers to track statistics, subjects, etc. but what about on the patrons side?



Does anyone have ebook call numbers appearing in results lists? What about patrons side records? I'd be interested to know if anyone has any experiences or comments about this. Does having a call number appear next to an ebook give patrons the impression that this book can be found on a shelf somewhere?


From: Harris, Jennifer
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 11:08 AM
To: WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: ebook Call Numbers

Does anyone out there use call numbers for ebooks? If you do, do you have them appear on results lists? Why do you do this? Any comments would be welcome...

Thanks,

Jennifer Harris
Systems and Teaching Librarian
Mercyhurst College
Hammermill Library
501 E. 38th Street
Erie, PA 16546
814-824-3305

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