Cataloging and Processing Corner

A word about ARCs (or Advanced Review Copies)

• ARCs and galleys are great. They allow advanced access to a book before it’s officially published. These are marketing tools used by publishers to get books in the hands of reviewers and other promoters so that there is buzz about an upcoming book. 

• The rule of thumb is ARCs and galleys cannot be sold/resold or cataloged into collections. They aren’t simply “free books.” They are printed at great cost to the publisher as an investment in what they hope to be future sales. 

• What can you do with ARCS and galleys instead of adding them to your collection?

  • Give them away to student reviewers and other enthusiasts.

  • Add them to Little Free Libraries.

  • Enjoy them as you read widely and stay current with new releases.

WCPSS Cataloging  and Genrefying Specifications

While we generally champion individuality and creativity (you do you, boo), there are a few areas where standards across our schools and library programs are important. Cataloging and processing is one of them. 

• Fairly simple guidelines apply and can be found under Best Practices on the Library Media Services website:

  • Cataloging Standards

  • Genrefying Standards

• If you need to process materials by hand yourself, please make sure that you’re following the same standards and conventions, such as those for spine labels and barcode labels. 

  • If you need processing supplies, Stacy created this list that you can reference as a starting point. You can find it on the Library Media Services website under Quick Links.

• Should you have any questions, send them to Kendra. She loves to nerd out about this stuff and is always ready for thoughtful discourse. 

If you would like assistance with cleaning up some “creative cataloging” done by a predecessor, contact Stacy (ssymes@wcpss.net). She is happy to help. 

Wake Up and Read Annual Book Drive

It's time again for the WAKE Up and Read Annual Book Drive! The book drive will take place from January 17 through February 17. Last year, the WUAR coalition provided more than 145,000 books to children at 15 partner schools, 17 child care centers, 21 Little Free Libraries, and over 75 community events. This year, the goal for the spring distribution is to provide each child at 18 partner schools with two new books and 8 gently used books to help prevent summer learning loss and build home libraries. For more information, see this announcement.

The Right to Read movie - free screening

Wake Up and Read is hosting a free screening of the documentary The Right to Read from 6-8:30pm on January 17th at Marbles IMAX to kick off this year's book drive. Book drive posters and boxes will be available on site. RSVP for tickets