Welcome to TCC's Cataloging & Web Services

Editors: Beverly D. Hills, MSLS & Bev Fifield

Philosophies

Patrons rely on the library to have an organized collection of materials covering diverse topics. Our mission is to support the libraries by organizing, and maintaining a collection of materials for the libraries using recognized standards such as the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (2002), MARC bibliographic format, Library of Congress Rule Interpretation, Library of Congress Subject Headings, Library of Congress Classification, and various rules of the National Information Standards Organization (NISO). Providing access to an organized collection of information supports the academic mission of Tidewater Community College and the lifelong learning of our patrons.

• In all considerations, the use of the catalog by our patrons is the primary consideration. By following national standards, cataloging policies are designed to address the needs, skills, and educational levels of the greatest number of library patrons.
• By applying standards, catalogers provide patrons with a collection of data, retrievable by prescribed methods of research. Patrons of TCC libraries are also patrons of other university and public libraries and learn transferable skills at TCC.
• College-wide cataloging practices are determined to provide the greatest level of access to materials we own (or own rights to access) using succinct bibliographic data applied in a consistent manner.
• The catalog is comprised of MARC bibliographic records of what we own, not an historical account of what we used to own. The term ownership is evolving to include resources to which we currently have access.
• TCC abides by accepted national standards. It is beyond the scope of this manual to address all cataloging issues; still you may find this list of Cataloging Practices helpful.