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  • Is it possible to look up a book by barcode?

    Yes. Lookup on the volume number field "v." is a lookup by barocde (not for a volume number!).

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  • How to add new records to the catalog?

    When you first enter the cataloging panel(from the menu) you are in the "browsing" mode (for looking up and viewing records). To add a record press the F9 key. You will then be in the "create record" mode. All the fields will be blank except for default values (e.g., "hardcover book", "softcover book" or whatever you set in the system settings panel as the default media) and the entry date/time and user ID of the user creating the record. These are automatically calculated when you first create the record.

    After entering your data press F10 to save (or F7 to exit the panel and save). (Note that when you catalog an item "on the fly" from the Checkout panel you will already be in "create" mode and the barcode number (inputed to checkout panel) will already be entered in the catalog panel.)

    Re: Call Numbers The call number is automatically entered based on what is in the first subject heading ("Subj.1") field. The call numbers and subject headings that come with the program are based primarily on SEARS LIST OF SUBJECT HEADINGS, 15th ed (New York, H.W.Wilson Co.;1994). However, you can change these numbers to anything you want. Just go to the Subject Heading Panel (from the Main Menu go to the Cataloger's Menu (choice #7) then "Subject Headings Panel" (choice #2). Look up the subject heading you want to change, press F6 to go to "Edit record" mode, TAB over to the Call Number field and change it, then press F10 to save. Then, whenever you enter that subject heading in the catalog panel the new call number will be automatically entered.

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  • How do we handle pamphlets and newspaper clippings?

    Most libraries have a filing cabinet - or lateral file cabinet - which is called the "Vertical File". This contains items which are too physically flimsy or which are ephemeral - but which you want to save and have accessible via the library catalog (e.g., pamphlets, maps, etc).

    The problem is that it's clumsy to use the Dewey system to arrange the folders within the Vertical File (at least for a small VF collection). So many libraries arrange the folders by subject headings instead.

    PAL lets you use "Pamphlets" as a media type (it's already on the pick list). You can also add a new media type "Clippings" or "Newspaper Clippings" by going to the Media Types panel (via the Administrator's Menu).

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  • Library of Congress for call #'s: I have been modifying the panel so I can enter the LC # manually (which has been successful) - - however, when I go back to the original catalog panel (in the #7 Cataloger's menu), the 1st 3 initials of the last name of the author are still appearing with the LC call number (For example, author is Doka, and "DOK" is showing up after LC# I listed - - -

    First of all, PAL was not intended for use with LC and we don't purport to provide support for LC issues. However, please note that libraries that use LC usually also add Cutter numbers.
    In PAL, these are the three first letters of the author's last name (although "real" Cutter numbers employ a different formula using letters and numbers).
    So there shouldn't be a problem using LC with PAL.

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  • All we are cataloging is via DDC, is the 610 Medical Sciences (this is a nursing program library) - - thus, the material involves a majority of nursing school curriculum; but also breaks down into pharmacology (sp), surgery, etc, etc. Thus, how do you suggest I catalog? Should I label call #'s at 610 category, and then break it down into specifics (i.e. 610.1 Pharmaclogy, 610.2 Nurse Surgery, 610.3 Art history involving Nursing profession, etc, etc) (OR, what do you suggest?) Basically, every materail will be medical>nursing>then broken down into those components listed above)

    First of all, pharmacology classes as 615 in Sears (Sears List of Subject Headings, 16th Ed) - surgery classes as 617. The book "Nursing, the finest art : an illustrated history" / M. Patricia Donahue is given the nursing history number (616.009) by Los Angeles Public Library (see http://www.lapl.org/ ). LAPL uses Library of Congress subject headings instead of Sears. Most specialized medical libraries copy the cataloging from National Library of Medicine which apparently has a unique classification system (more specialized than either Dewey of Lib of Congress systems. I would go to their site for more information about this.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=nlmcatalog

    You should be able to use any classification system with PAL. The field will accept letters as well as numbers. Of course you'd have to change the Dewey numbers in the Subject heading panel for the subjects you want to keep. The only issue is if the length of the number (or lettering) is longer than 12 characters - and whether they create Cutter numbers as does PAL because this is usually used with Dewey and LC.

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  • How does my PAL library catalog get onto the internet?

    A report in PAL generates the file C:\catalog.txt . This is uploaded using a script on our Library Avenue web site. Updating instructions are simple: "Overwrite files on the server: Click the "Overwrite" link. This will open up an upload window that will allow you to select a file from your local hard drive. Once the file is submitted it will overwrite the file on the server.

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  • What subject heading scheme is PAL based on?

    PAL's database of subject headings and associated Dewey numbers is based on SEARS LIST OF SUBJECT HEADINGS , 15th ed. (New York, H.W.Wilson Co.).

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  • How do I catalog a book?

    The first step in cataloging a book or other type of item for your library is what's called "descriptive cataloging". What's the title of this item? the author(s)?, publisher?, date of publication? Most books have a title page just inside the front cover which provides most of this information. (Incidentally, the cover of a book sometimes doesn't present the title or author(s) accurately. Get in the habit of looking only to the title page for this information. On the reverse side of the title page is usually found the copyright date (use the latest one) and usually has what is called "Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data" which is a "cheat sheet" for you to use in the later stages of cataloging.

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  • Cataloging multiple copies of an item How do I catalog books that we have more than one copy of? Do I have to catalog them as if they were different ones?

    Browse to the existing record for the copy of the item you already have, then press F9 to create a new record. Now when you press F4 on any field the data from the existing record will pop into that field without having to re-type it. The only field that MUST be different is the barcode field. This is the key field which must be unique for every library item.

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  • Adding Subject Headings Can subject headings be added to PAL's pick-list of subject headings?

    Yes. You are not limited to the list of subject headings included with the program. You can add your own subject headings. And, in fact, you should be adding your own subject headings as needed. For example, let's say you have a new book written about the life of someone named Mary Jones. You would then need to create a new subject heading "Jones, Mary -- Biography" This, of course, is not in our included list of sample subject headings. (You would then assign the call number "92" which is the call number for biographies of individuals). PAL's database of subject headings and associated Dewey numbers is based on SEARS LIST OF SUBJECT HEADINGS, 15th ed. (New York, H.W.Wilson Co.). However, you can easily add to, delete, or edit the headings that come with PAL.

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