PrairieCat Barcode Level Testing

When:		Tuesday, February 12, 2013 (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Where:		RAILS Coal Valley Training Room (In Person) RAILS Rockford Videoconference Room (In Person) RAILS Bolingbrook Training Room (In Person)
Cost:		Free

• This event has been cancelled.

This is an open house forum. Come anytime between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. Please allow a couple of hours to complete the test. >>This test is for library staff associated with PrairieCat libraries only.<<

The Statewide Cataloging Standards Committee (SCSC) was formed in 2000 and was charged with the responsibility of creating a cataloging standards http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/pdfs/catalog_standards.pdf document that would form the basis of improving the quality of cataloging in the consortial catalogs in Illinois. In support of these standards the SCSC has created the first level of testing, a barcoder certification test, which will help to identify the training needs of barcoders.

To help prepare PrairieCat barcoders and catalogers for the Barcode Certification Test, a sample test is available at http://support.prairiecat.info/services/barcode-testing

The Barcoder Certification Test has two parts, both of which must be passed at the same sitting of the Test. The first part is made up of matching, multiple choice and short answer questions on general terminology, http://support.prairiecat.info/system/files/Public/Barcode-Level%20Cataloging%20Certification/BarcodeTestAcronyms.pdf, basic MARC http://www.loc.gov/marc/umb/ and searching. Passing the first part requires getting 14 of the 28 possible points. The second part is made of eight hands-on exercises where the barcoder is asked to follow PrairieCat cataloging policies and procedures in searching, matching and attaching a call number and copy/item record to the proper record, if applicable and reporting any problems with bibliographic records, or referring items to a copy or original cataloger. This portion of the Evaluation requires getting 50 of the 72 possible points. The Barcode Certification Test will be given regularly (monthly) at the RAILS Coal Valley, Rockford and Shorewood Service Centers. Check the PrairieCat L2 calendar for the next scheduled Barcode Testing day at http://www.librarylearning.info.

Upon successful completion of the Test, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Barcode Level Test and a named login to the Innovative Interfaces Inc Sierra system(a/k/a Sierra).

Additional resources to use in preparing:
Cataloging Acronyms & Terminology -

• Review Sheet http://support.prairiecat.info/system/files/Public/Barcode-Level%20Cataloging%20Certification/BarcodeTestAcronyms.pdf (pdf)
• WebJunction IL Course http://il.webjunction.org/catalog
Introduction to Cataloging for Non-Catalogers (LibraryU)


Basic MARC -

• Understanding MARC Bibliographic: http://www.loc.gov/marc/umb/ Machine-Readable Cataloging

If you have any questions about the Statewide Cataloging Standards of the Certification tests, please contact John Slanicky 877-542-7257 x2716 or at john.slanicky@railslibraries.info.