Case Study

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 Table of Contents

Executive Summary...................................................................................................................4

Introduction................................................................................................................................5

Background of the Report......................................................................................................5

Scope of the Report and Used Methods.................................................................................5

Issues......................................................................................................................................5

Aim and Limitation of the Report..........................................................................................5

Literature Review.......................................................................................................................6

Classification System.............................................................................................................6

Dewey decimal classification System................................................................................6

Library of Congress Classification System........................................................................6

Boggs and Lewis Classification System............................................................................7

Moys Classification System...............................................................................................7

Descriptive Cataloguing System............................................................................................7

Advantages of Descriptive Cataloguing.............................................................................8

Challenges Associated with Descriptive Cataloguing.......................................................8

Methodology..............................................................................................................................8

Results/ Findings........................................................................................................................9

Application of the Library of Congress Classification Systems: Step-by-Step Process......10

Application of the Descriptive Cataloguing System: Step-by-Step Process........................10

Discussion/ Analysis................................................................................................................11

Advantages and Disadvantages of Descriptive Cataloguing System...................................11

Advantages and Disadvantages Library of Congress Classification System.......................12

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Conclusion and Recommendations..........................................................................................13

Recommendations................................................................................................................13

References................................................................................................................................14

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Executive Summary
It has been identified that the stuff is very messy and I have found it difficult to arrange the
resources appropriately. Most importantly, lack of cataloguing system has resulted in messy
stuffs. The medical resources will be kept in the forms of journals, video devices, DVDs,
pamphlets, newsletters, and books. It is suggested that Descriptive Cataloguing System and
Library of Congress Classification System can be applied by the information management
consultant in this case to improve the information management system. There are different
advantages and disadvantages associated with these two systems can affect the efficacy of
information management process, but appropriate authority control approach and appropriate
training can overcome the challenges.

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Introduction
I am responsible for arranging a small collection of the medical resources in a small room,
which is crammed with different stuffs and shelves. I have been contracted as an information
management consultant to develop a step-by-step plan for organising the medical information
resources in the messy room through the consideration of cataloguing system.

Background of the Report

The medical resources and associated items are kept in inappropriate manner. On the other
hand, previous information manager also could not complete the information management
spread-sheet. This particular incomplete spread-sheet also has made my life difficult to
arrange the resources properly. I am desperate enough to overcome this situation and manage
the resources of the medical information in an appropriate way. As the cataloguing system is
not applied yet to management the information resources, I am responsible for creating a
cataloguing system to arrange the information resources in a systematic manner. Although I
have limited knowledge on cataloguing system, but it is important to acquire knowledge on
effective or partial cataloguing system to arrange important information sources like books
and journals properly.

Scope of the Report and Used Methods

Conduction of this research will definitely help the future information manager to adopt
important knowledge on appropriate cataloguing system to arrange the information resources
in a messy stuff room. In terms of methods, qualitative method might be used in this study
depending on the nature of the research work.

Issues
It has been identified that the stuff is very messy and I have found it difficult to arrange the
resources appropriately. The medical resources will be kept in the forms of journals, video
devices, DVDs, pamphlets, newsletters, and books. Most importantly, lack of cataloguing
system has resulted in messy stuffs.

Aim and Limitation of the Report

Major aim of this report is to develop a cataloguing system, which can be accessed by people
easily, comfortably, and appropriately. Major limitation of this report is the lack of
availability of potential resources on the information management and cataloguing system,

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which can provide a sustainable resolution to this particular situational problem in an
appropriate manner.

Literature Review
Cataloguing system is an important approach for the librarians. Effective cataloguing system
defines expert librarianship of the librarians. All the expert librarians need to acquire
important knowledge on the critical librarianship through which such librarians can
incorporate different critical perspectives like referencing, outreach, IT systems, classification
system, information literacy, collection development, and cataloguing (López-Robles et al.,
2019). From the particular case fact, it is identified that poor knowledge on cataloguing
system is creating problems for the information management consultant to arrange and
manage the messy information stuff room. Therefore, it is important to discuss some
important theoretical aspects of descriptive cataloguing system to acquire valuable
knowledge. Apart from the consideration of descriptive cataloguing system, it is also
important here to consider the classification system in managing the information properly. In-
detailed discussions about both classification system and descriptive cataloguing system are
discussed below.

Classification System
Generally there are four types of classification systems, such as Dewey Decimal
Classification System, Library of Congress Classification System, Boggs and Lewis
Classification System, and Moys Classification System.

Dewey decimal classification System

This particular classification system is categorised into three segments, such as Print DDC,
WebDewey 2.0, and Abridged DDC15. These classification systems are considered as
general schemes, which are generally cover all knowledge. The DDC classification system
was introduced in the year 1876 (Popovič et al., 2019).

Library of Congress Classification System

This particular classification system was introduced in the year 1899 and this particular
system was used in the library management activities till 1939. This particular scheme
generally covers 21 branches of knowledge. This particular classification system was used in
the library management activities of the Universities of Tasmania, Canberra, and Queensland.

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Boggs and Lewis Classification System
Boggs and Lewis classification system was introduced under special scheme of the library
management activities for the specialised collections. Most importantly, this particular
classification system was used in the information management and library management
system in the University of Melbourne after the 1950s.

Moys Classification System

Moys Classification Law is considered to be an important classification system, which was
introduced in the year 1968 by referring the common law system of England. This particular
information management system was utilised by the universities, government agencies, and
law department of Australia (Vibhor et al., 2019).

Descriptive Cataloguing System

Caring about library metadata is important to overcome information management issues in a
library. Consideration of descriptive cataloguing can ensure effective representation of
information in library through the application of library metadata system. Descriptive
cataloguing system also helps the librarians to include the principles of social justice in the
information management activities (Eggerth et al., 2020). Ultimately, consideration of the
descriptive cataloguing system helps the customers or clients to get better access to the
relevant information. In order to ensure effective descriptive cataloguing system, it is
important for the information management professionals and librarians to use the Resource
Description and Access Toolkit, which was introduced in the year 2013. However, it is
expected that new Resource Description and Access Toolkit may be introduced in the year
2021.

The descriptive cataloguing system generally works basis on some step-by-step functions.
First of all, it is important to find an information source on the basis of either author or the
title or the subject. After finding the function, the second most important step of the
descriptive cataloguing system will be to gathering information that is available in the library.
In this aspect, the information can be gathered by searching the name of the author or name
of the subject or kind of the literature (Briney 2019). Thirdly, it is important for the
management to select a particular information source or the function by considering either
edition of the information source or the character of the information source. Most

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importantly, Ranganathan’s five important laws of descriptive cataloguing need to be
considered by the librarians or the information management professionals.

Advantages of Descriptive Cataloguing

Major advantage of the descriptive cataloguing system is large availability. This descriptive
cataloguing system is considered to be one of the common and extensively used library
management systems, which is practiced in almost 24 national libraries. The degree of
coverage of this descriptive cataloguing system is also extensive. Apart from these,
consideration of descriptive cataloguing system allows the users to get access to the
intellectual and valuable content. Most importantly, this particular descriptive cataloguing
system updates on weekly basis, which is an important information management approach.
The degree of familiarity of this descriptive cataloguing system is high among the librarians
and the information management professionals (Cram et al., 2019). Despite different small
transformations and changes, the basic structure of descriptive cataloguing system remains
unchanged. Last but not the least; the descriptive cataloguing system can be accessed by the
information management professionals as well as the librarians in almost 30 languages. These
are some important benefits of the descriptive cataloguing system in the information
management activity.

Challenges Associated with Descriptive Cataloguing

Despite the advantages and benefits, the application of the descriptive cataloguing system can
create some challenges for the librarians, information managers, and the users. The most
critical challenge of the consideration of descriptive cataloguing system is complexity in use,
lack of user-friendly aspect, out-of-date vocabulary, and huge possibilities of human error
during the application and implementation time, and cultural shocks challenges (Li et al.,
2019). These are some critical challenges of descripting cataloguing system, which need to be
monitored by the information management professionals and the librarians.

Methodology
Research methodology is an important aspect of doing research. Selection of the appropriate
methodology of doing research can help the organisations to meet the aim and objectives of
the research quite appropriately. There are two types of research methodologies, such as
qualitative research methodology and quantitative research methodology. In qualitative
research methodology, researchers generally examine the views, thoughts, satisfaction,

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dissatisfaction, attitude, behaviour, and perception of the people through his or her
interpretation. In quantitative research methodology, researchers generally consider scientific
methods, statistical formulas, and mathematical formulas to analyse the collected numeric
data. Hence, quantitative methodology analyses the collected numeric information. On the
other hand, qualitative methodology analyses the collected descriptive information. Major
aim of this report is to develop a cataloguing system, which can be accessed by people easily,
comfortably, and appropriately. In addition, the important objective of the research is to
suggest some important library management systems to the information management
consultant to keep the medical resources comfortably (Baruffaldi et al., 2019). Therefore,
effective theoretical knowledge on library science and information management systems
needs to be acquired by the information management professionals. Hence, consideration of
descriptive data is important here that can help in collecting theoretical information to
overcome the problems. Therefore, the views and suggestions of theorists and industry
experts can be sourced here. Hence, consideration of the qualitative methodology is highly
justified.

Apart from research methodology, deciding the collection process of the required information
is also necessary here. There are two types of data collection techniques, such as primary data
collection technique and secondary data collection technique. In the primary data collection
process, the researchers generally collect the live, raw, and fresh information through the
field survey works (Shen and Gao 2019). In the secondary data collection technique, the
researchers generally collect researched data from the existing data sources. In this situation,
secondary data collection type will be helpful for the information management consultant as
this data collection technique can help the management to collect huge volume of required
information in limited time and limited cost. Therefore, consideration of the secondary data
collection process as well as qualitative methodology will be justified in this assignment.

Results/ Findings
From the theoretical framework or literature review, it would be important for the
information management consultant to consider classification system and descriptive
cataloguing system to arrange the medical resources appropriately. Generally there are four
types of classification systems, such as Dewey Decimal Classification System, Library of
Congress Classification System, Boggs and Lewis Classification System, and Moys

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Classification System. Among these classification systems, it would be effective to use
Library of Congress Classification System.

Application of the Library of Congress Classification Systems: Step-by-Step Process

This particular classification system was introduced in the year 1899 and this particular
system was used in the library management activities till 1939. This particular scheme
generally covers 21 branches of knowledge. This particular classification system was used in
the library management activities of the Universities of Tasmania, Canberra, and Queensland.
The first and most important step of this classification system is to determine the subject
matter for the purpose of information management and arrangement (Mitkar et al., 2020). The
second step of this particular classification system is to translate the terminologies of the
subject into the controlled vocabulary. Thirdly, it is important here to ensure effective
objectives and develop appropriate knowledge to achieve those developed objectives.
Fourthly, it is important for the information management professional to maintain
consistency. The fifth important step of the information management consultant in this
information management system will be to provide equal attention to every subject topic
seriously.

The seventh step of the application of this classification system will be to examine the
“Peritext”. The eighth step of the application of this classification system will be scrutiny of
the text for the future clarification. The ninth step of the application of this classification
system will be consultation of the referencing sources (Cox et al., 2019). Tenth step will be to
assign appropriate heading as well as sub-heading appropriately. Last step will be to ensure
appropriate cross-referencing in order to attend to the authority record.

Application of the Descriptive Cataloguing System: Step-by-Step Process

In order to implement the descriptive cataloguing system, the information management
consultant needs to consider the implication of Ranganathan’s Five Laws. All the five laws
are discussed below.

 “Books are for use”

 “Every reader his or her book”

 “Every book its reader”

 “Save the time of the reader”

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  “The library is growing organism”

First of all, the information management consultant needs to keep these five laws in mind in
order to develop a mentality to apply the descriptive cataloguing system appropriately. After
creating a mind-set of implication of this standard, it is important to find an information
source on the basis of either author or the title or the subject. After finding the function, the
second most important step of the descriptive cataloguing system will be to gather
information that is available in the library. In this aspect, the information can be gathered by
searching the name of the author or name of the subject or kind of the literature. Thirdly, it is
important for the management to select a particular information source or the function by
considering either edition of the information source or the character of the information source
(Rafique et al., 2020). Fourthly, it is important here to find, identify, and select appropriate
bibliographic sources to manage the information effectively. Fifthly, the information
management consultant also needs to make sure that the bibliographic resources are
significantly accessed by the users. Like these ways, a catalogue can be created and explored
appropriately.

Discussion/ Analysis
It is already identified that two information management standards, such as Descriptive
Cataloguing System and Library of Congress Classification System will be applied by the
information management consultant in this case. Already the dealing procedure and
descriptions of the two standards are analysed. Now, it is important to discuss the advantages
as well as disadvantages of Descriptive Cataloguing System and Library of Congress
Classification System.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Descriptive Cataloguing System

This descriptive cataloguing system is considered to be one of the common and extensively
used library management systems, which is practiced in almost 24 national libraries. Major
advantage of the descriptive cataloguing system is large availability. Apart from these,
consideration of descriptive cataloguing system allows the users to get access to the
intellectual and valuable content. The degree of coverage of this descriptive cataloguing
system is also extensive (Duan et al., 2019). Despite different small transformations and
changes, the basic structure of descriptive cataloguing system remains unchanged. Most
importantly, this particular descriptive cataloguing system updates on weekly basis, which is
an important information management approach. Last but not the least; the descriptive

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cataloguing system can be accessed by the information management professionals as well as
the librarians in almost 30 languages. The degree of familiarity of this descriptive cataloguing
system is high among the librarians and the information management professionals. These are
some important benefits of the descriptive cataloguing system in the information
management activity.

Despite the above advantages and benefits, the application of the descriptive cataloguing
system is associated with some risk factors, which can create challenges for the users. The
most critical challenge of the consideration of descriptive cataloguing system is complexity in
use, lack of user-friendly aspect, out-of-date vocabulary, and huge possibilities of human
error during the application and implementation time, and cultural shocks challenges
(Alzahrani et al., 2019). These are some critical challenges of descripting cataloguing system,
which need to be monitored by the information management professionals and the librarians.

Advantages and Disadvantages Library of Congress Classification System

The most important advantage of this Library of Congress Classification System is cost-
efficiency. Application of this particular system can help the organisations to reduce the
overall operation management cost in library management as well as information
management systems. Therefore, majority of the universities across Australia are adopting
and implementing this particular process to management information resources like books,
journals, and DVDs in library. In addition, application of this Library of Congress
Classification System also can help in reducing the necessity of the reinvention wheel. Most
importantly, consideration of this particular Library of Congress Classification System shares
the cataloguing efforts with other professionals by making use of the cataloguing copy (Pettit
et al., 2019).

Similar to descripting cataloguing, the implication of Library of Congress Classification

System also can create different challenges for the information management consultant and
users. The information management professionals generally consider customised approaches
to apply Library of Congress Classification System. It can affect the workflow. First of all,
the employee training cost, system application cost, and customised manual cost can overall
increase the operation management cost. In addition, customised approaches due to Library
of Congress Classification System also increase the operation management time.

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Conclusion and Recommendations
It is decided that Descriptive Cataloguing System and Library of Congress Classification
System will be applied by the information management consultant in this case. This
descriptive cataloguing system is considered to be one of the common and extensively used
library management systems. On the other hand, the most important advantage of this Library
of Congress Classification System is cost-efficiency. Application of this particular system can
help the organisations to reduce the overall operation management cost in library
management as well as information management systems. Therefore, majority of the
universities across Australia are adopting and implementing this particular process to
management information resources like books, journals, and DVDs in library. Despite the
advantages of these two systems, it is identified that the users or the information management
professionals can face different challenges during the implication of these two systems.
Following recommendation plans will help in overcoming the problems associated with two
decided library management systems.

Recommendations
First of all, adoption of authority control approach is important through which the
information management consultant can ensure authority record, authority file, and authority
work. These processes will ensure conflict-free cataloguing.

Secondly, it is important for the information management consultant to never open the big
books of Library of Congress Classification System unless he knows all about the principles
of this standard system as lack of knowledge on implication in emergency situations can lead
the lead him astray. Most important, effective knowledge acquisition is important. Apart from
this, effective training and development approaches are necessary to improve the skill level of
the librarians to apply the principles of Library of Congress Classification System in a time
and cost effective way.

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