January 2026 - CatSIG - lists.ecs.vuw.ac.nz

Subject analysis working group findings (it's more interesting than this subject line suggests)
by Tali Boardman 30 Jan '26

30 Jan '26

Kia ora, [Apologies for cross-posting. Please feel free to share widely.] The ALA Core Subject Analysis Committee’s Working Group on $v Retention has released its report of research findings and recommendations deriving from the Group’s literature review and library worker survey, which garnered 699 responses, representing multiple library roles, library types, and library communities worldwide. The full report with findings and recommendations may be read here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12sYgYhVSyM1nObY-QeH-VySjYHxoSQTEj2xwBFT… The Group’s work began in March 2025, amid library community concerns about the Library of Congress’s (LC) January 2025 announcement that they would be discontinuing use of form subdivisions ($v) in subject headings, in favor of only including Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms (LCGFT). A form subdivision is the section of a subject heading that specifies that a topic appears within a specific form or media, for example the ending parts of the following subjects: Berlin (Germany) $v Guidebooks; Dinosaurs $v Juvenile fiction; Mendieta, Ana, $d 1948-1985 $v Catalogs; Miniature books $v Specimens. Some key findings from the Group’s research: * No user studies to date demonstrate that removing $v improves patron search or recall. * Patrons primarily do basic keyword searches, and examine the first few search results screens and individual records, valuing subject context and glanceability. Having found records of interest, patrons click on the subject strings (including those with $v) to find other materials. Faceting and advanced searches are not generally utilized by patrons. * 59% of survey respondents report that omitting form subdivisions would make patron searching more difficult (as opposed to 14% that say it wouldn’t), and 57% assert that $v omission would impede access to specific collections and types of material (versus 12% that say it wouldn’t). Missing form subdivisions disproportionately impact vulnerable library patrons, including children and socioeconomically challenged communities, who may lack search skills or public catalogs with robust genre display/search options. * 60% of public catalogs lack a dedicated search genre/form search option, so patrons could not search by form as they could by title, author, or subject. 42% of public catalogs lack dedicated genre/form facets for filtering search results, so patrons would be unable to narrow a topic by form if $v were omitted. * 55% of survey respondents were unaware that LC planned to omit form subdivisions, indicating a lack of adequate outreach and input-gathering from LC. Percentages are higher in certain library types. * 71% of respondents to question 3.8 oppose $v omission, whereas only 14% support it. * Requiring libraries to individually add $v information or configure catalogs disproportionately impacts lesser-resourced libraries, who are least likely to have time, knowledge or resources. 67% of libraries have no time and/or knowledge to add form subdivisions into their catalogs individually for all records that might require them. 55% of libraries cannot or are unsure of their ability to change their public catalog indexes and/or display if needed. In light of these findings and more, the Working Group’s top recommendations are that the Library of Congress: * continue providing form subdivisions in all applicable subject strings included in bibliographic records shared with other libraries, as a public service for library patrons and less-resourced institutions; * continue accepting proposals for new form subdivisions to allow growth for continued patron benefit and to maintain data interoperability between libraries; * retain all authority records containing form subdivisions and all Library of Congress Subject Headings Manual documentation pertaining to their use; * and commit to broad-based outreach regarding all future vocabulary decisions to allow all of the library community to participate in decision-making related to changes that impact them and their patrons. The Working Group requests that our colleagues read the report and consider supporting the Group’s recommendations. Given the centrality of user needs fulfillment and equitable access to the library profession, it is imperative for us all to support the most vulnerable libraries and their patrons, and oppose changes that leave these communities behind. Organizations wishing to endorse the recommendations can do so via this form: https://forms.gle/XwmvnfCQ7TkriRky7, or by contacting Group chair Deborah Tomaras at Deborah.Tomaras(a)marist.edu<mailto:Deborah.Tomaras@marist.edu>. Thank you for your time and consideration. Ngā mihi nui, Tali Boardman (She/Her) Library Specialist- Cataloguing Library Specialist- Cataloguing Kaiwhakarārangi Puka Libraries, Community Spaces & Archives | Wellington City Council Whare Pukapuka me ngā Wāhi Pāpori | Te Kaunihera o Pōneke Ph: 04-830 8311 E: tali.boardman(a)wcc.govt.nz<mailto:karl.tilley@wcc.govt.nz> | W wcl.govt.nz<http://www.wcl.govt.nz/>

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Response to the Library of Congress' Genre/Form Subdivisions Announcement
by Joanne Rowan 12 Jan '26

12 Jan '26

[Please forgive cross-posting] Dear colleagues: The Library of Congress has, as of yesterday, circulated an announcement<https://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/subject/form-announcement.pdf> and an FAQ<https://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/subject/formfaq.pdf> about discontinuing the use of $v (form subdivisions) in new cataloging. In the interest of transparency, it should be known that questions in the FAQ were taken, largely verbatim, from a set prepared by the ALA Subject Analysis Committee's Working Group on $v Retention, endorsed by multiple library organizations, and sent to the Library of Congress on September 15, 2025. The complete set of questions and signatories can be seen here<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/docs.google.com/document/d/1Xh_J1qQ3ACnV…>. While we are glad that the Library of Congress responded to our questions, it is disappointing that the answers were not provided before a final decision on $v was made, and before the library community, which has a substantial stake in the development and usage of Library of Congress vocabularies, could fully understand the implications of this change and weigh in. Further, the answers provided within the announcement and FAQ raise further questions. We urge our colleagues to carefully scrutinize the information in those documents: * no future development of $v allowed (i.e., no possibility of $v Young adult fiction, or $v Kits, or anything else the community still using $v might feel necessary and useful) * the potential "modification" (i.e., removal?) of $v in already existing authority records * no guarantee of retention of either documentation or authorities related to $v long-term * no planned replacement of incredibly popular audience-inclusive $v (e.g., for children's and YA materials) with LCGFT alternatives * no consultation with the library community about which $v will receive LCGFT alternatives or in what form * undercutting of search and display functionality currently existent in a majority of libraries, in favor of fields and functions (655, and particularly 3XX) largely unavailable in library catalogs for post-coordinated searching at this time, and potentially unable to be implemented in the future * scant acknowledgment of the impact on patrons of the lack of "high-level consistency for many terms" in library catalogs, particularly for historic records lacking LCGFT and/or LCDGT * and so on The Working Group has been assessing the ramifications of the discontinuation of $v on library collections, catalogs, services, and—most importantly—library patrons. We are currently drafting our report, including results of a librarian survey which garnered 699 responses across all library types (academic, public, school, tribal, special, governmental, consortial, etc.), and from several countries. We intend to circulate the report widely when completed, hopefully by the end of January, and we hope that the library community and particularly its member organizations will consider our evidence and recommendations. We respectfully request that the Library of Congress delay implementing this change and finalizing a decision on $v before the release of the report, and the gathering of input and addressing of concerns from the library community. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Deborah Tomaras, chair of ALA SAC Working Group on $v Retention Deborah Tomaras (she/her) Metadata and Resource Management Librarian James A. Cannavino Library, Marist University 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Office: 845-575-2408 | Deborah.Tomaras(a)marist.edu<mailto:Deborah.Tomaras@marist.edu> [cid:image002.png@01DC83A8.98324D10]

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CatSIG Catapult December 2025 issue available
by Hazel L 08 Jan '26

08 Jan '26

Kia ora koutou, I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and had a good break. The December issue of Catapult is now available and attached. Kia maiea tō rā, Hazel Loughrey Catapult editor

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Cataloguing Manager at Wheelers
by Joanne Rowan 07 Jan '26

07 Jan '26

Wheelers Books are seeking a full-time Cataloguing Manager to join their team based in our Glenfield office on Auckland’s North Shore. At Wheelers Books, we believe in the uplifting power of books to enrich lives. As a long-established and growing company with offices in Auckland and Sydney, we are a leading supplier to libraries and schools across Australasia, providing a complete self-ready service to our customers throughout New Zealand. We are seeking a full-time Cataloguing Manager to join our team based in our Glenfield office on Auckland’s North Shore. Working alongside our Selection/Acquisitions and Processing teams, you will provide critical operational support to our clients in New Zealand and Australia. In this pivotal role, you will lead the daily workflow of the cataloguing team, ensuring all books are catalogued efficiently, on time, and within budget. You will need a relevant library qualification, experience managing a team, and a customer-focused mindset. You will have a background in library management, where you have utilised excellent cataloguing skills in a high-service environment. We are looking for a leader who embodies our values of Integrity (Tautoko), Collaboration (Mahitahi), Community (Whanaungatanga), and Sustainability (Kaitiakitanga). We welcome applications from those with the following skills and attributes: * Substantial experience as a practising cataloguer * A library qualification or equivalent is essential for this role. * Effective people management skills with the ability to mentor, coach, and support a team. * The ability to think strategically, be logical, and drive outcomes according to plans. * Excellent verbal and written communication skills to facilitate workflow between departments. * A strong drive for excellence in service delivery to libraries and schools. * Strong problem-solving and computer skills to optimise team and resource utilisation. * Self-motivated, pragmatic, and adaptable to change. You will be joining a supportive, purpose-driven team where you can make a real impact. We are passionate about supporting literacy and providing schools and libraries with access to quality resources. Check out the job description here.<https://www.lianza.org.nz/professional-development/vacancies/cataloguing-ma…> Contact email: If you have any questions, please contact Emily Rogers (HR Manager) emilyr(a)wheelers.co.nz Applications close: 7 January 2026 Link to apply: https://www.seek.co.nz/job/89133918 Ngā mihi nui, Joanne Rowan CatSIG convenor [signature_1301701140] Scholarly Content Team Te Kahu Tauira | Student and Scholarly Services Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland A General Library, Bldg 109, 5 Alfred Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand P Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand W www.library.auckland.ac.nz<http://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/> E librarycollections(a)auckland.ac.nz [cid:4832b00c-8983-4128-a609-926183838e17]

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