Page 181 - DLIS002_KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGUING THEORY

Knowledge Organization: Classification and Cataloguing Theory

Notes 9.4.3 Sheaf or Loose-leaf Form

A sheaf form of catalogue is one in which slips of paper are put into a loose-leaf binder and
bound by some mechanical device into a volume. It provides the convenience of handling a
book. As each entry is made on a separate slip; new slips can be inserted in appropriate places
without disturbing the existing order of arrangement of entries. Roughly, each volume of a
sheaf catalogue may contain about 500-600 leaves. It may be displayed on special shelves with
appropriate labels on their spines, indicating the order (either alphabetical or classified) of
arrangement. At one time, this form of catalogue became somewhat popular in countries like
England and other European countries.

Advantages of Loose-leaf Form

(a) It is adjustable and portable which makes it easy to consult from any part of the library.
(b) Its flexible nature renders it convenient to insert or delete entries as and when required.
(c) It can be kept updated without much difficulty.
(d) It is more compact and occupies less space.

Disadvantages of Loose-leaf Form

(a) Generally one slip is used to record the particulars of one document only. This leads to
wastage of space on slips, which are larger in size.

(b) If details pertaining to more than one document are entered on a single slip, it becomes
necessary to rewrite the entire page.
(c) Libraries using sheaf catalogue cannot participate in any cooperative cataloguing scheme
or use facilities such as distribution of unit cards to minimize their cataloguing work.
(d) The catalogue has to be consulted in the library premises only. It is not possible to bring
out multiple copies of this catalogue.

(e) There can be a loss of slips due to mishandling by readers.
9.4.4 Card Form

Library catalogue in the card form became the most popular physical form as it overcomes the
inconvenience in handling the small leaves and subsides many of the disadvantages in other
physical forms. In this form, the bibliographical elements of every document are recorded on a
single card. These cards stand in card-trays or cabinets with the help of a locking rod inserted
through a hole near the bottom of the card. This locking system keeps the card from falling out,
and prevents unauthorized persons from removing any card from the tray.

Did u know? The cabinets trays for a card catalogue have a uniform standard size to
accommodate the cards of dimensions 12.5 × 7.6 cm.
The method of representing complete bibliographic detail of a document on a single card is
known as the unit card system. This principle paved the way for centralised cataloguing of
documents. The printed cards can be multiplied and distributed to other libraries at fairly low
price. The Library of Congress was the pioneer in this enterprise and started this card service to
many libraries in the Unites States and other countries. The well-known commercial bibliographic
publisher, H.W. Wilson and Co., also provides printed catalogue card service to libraries for
selected items.

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