Dissertation Information for Kathleen M. Tessmer NAME: - Kathleen M. Tessmer
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- University of Wisconsin, Madison (USA) (1985)
ADVISORS: - Mary L. Woodworth
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - [Indecipherable1] - Douglas L. Zweizig
MPACT Status: Complete - Except Indecipherables
Title: LIBRARIANS' SATISFACTION WITH THE SUBJECT ACCESS TO CHILDREN'S MATERIALS PROVIDED BY LIBRARY CATALOGS (SUBJECT HEADINGS, SCHOOL LIBRARIES, PUBLIC LIBRARIES)
Abstract: This study sought to determine if librarians perceived subject access to children's materials to be satisfactory of children's use. It was hypothesized that librarian satisfaction with the subject access to children's materials provided by library catalogs might vary depending upon the type of library, amount of contact with child users, amount of cataloging done by the librarian, or the subject cataloging practices of the library.
A mail questionnaire was sent to librarians in the State of Wisconsin; half worked in public libraries and half in school libraries. All worked directly with children, cataloged children's materials, or did both.
The majority of the respondents agreed that in general, the subject access to children's materials provided by library catalogs was satisfactory. The respondents did not, however, consider the language of subject headings for children's materials to be satisfactory for children's use. Respondents named language unsuitable for children's use the most serious problem or deficiency in subject access to children's materials. They wanted language that was simple, direct, contemporary, and colloquial.
A greater proportion of school librarians than public librarians were satisfied with elementary school student success in using the library catalog to search for subject material. The amount of time spent cataloging or the amount of time the librarian spent with children did not appear to be associated with librarian satisfaction with subject access to children's materials.
Most librarians reported that their libraries used Sear's List of Subject Headings. Those who used Library of Congress Subject Headings were more often "dissatisfied" than those who did not.
Respondents reported that subject headings considered inappropriate for children's use were adapted to provide better access. Purchased cataloging was more often changed than cataloging from a centralized source. More respondents were dissatisfied with purchased cataloging than with cataloging received from a centralized service. Several significant associations of particular suppliers of purchased cataloging with one or more measures of librarian satisfaction with subject access were noted.
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MPACT Scores for Kathleen M. Tessmer A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:27:11
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