Finger Lakes Library System

Connecting public libraries in Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins Counties

Collection Management

Collection Management

Cataloging Services | Professional Resources | Selection | Deselection

Resources for selecting and deselecting (weeding) materials for your physical collection. Contact Jenny Shonk or Heidi Eckerson with consultation requests, training requests, or suggestions and changes to this section.

Cataloging Services at FLLS

Please contact Deborah at dgeier@flls.org for more information about the following services we offer:

  • Processing temporary Polaris bibliographic records (Quick bibs) created by individual member libraries. These temporary records are merged by the technical services librarian into full bibliographic records. Instead of sending newly published/acquired materials in to the System for processing where there may be a delay of up to a month, the creation of Quick Bibs allows for these materials to be immediately circulated to patrons.
  • Processing requests to add new titles for newly published/acquired periodical subscriptions.
  • Providing assistance on special cataloging projects.
  • Providing consultation on cataloging and classification issues including the creation of Quick Bibs. Member library staff must attend a Polaris Item Maintenance training before receiving elevated permissions. Questions about Item Maintenance and/or training requests should be directed to wstephenson@flls.org. 

Helpful Cataloging Resources

  • FLLS Suggested Parameters – This PDF document features suggested parameters for item records including Call Number Prefix and Stat Code. Please note that these parameters are suggested, you may select different parameters to suit your needs. The last page of the document includes a formula for creating a call number.
  • WorldCat – This is the recommended first site to look at for call numbers for a non-fiction books. Records for the FLLS catalog are from the same database from which these records are drawn. Visit the website and type in the title or the ISBN of the book you are looking for. Click on the appropriate title. You will be redirected to the library or system’s catalog. You will be presented with the item information. You can always contact FLLS for assistance! 
  • LibraryThing MDS – If you have trouble locating a call number for a nonfiction item, try searching LibraryThing. Visit the website and search by ISBN/UPC in the top right corner search field. Click on an item that pops up and then locate the suggested call # along the right side of the screen under the “Melvil Decimal System (DDC)” heading. You can also use the Melvil Decimal System (MDS) tool to narrow down a call number, just click on one of the overarching Dewey classes to get started. 

Professional Resources

FLLS has a variety of titles in Polaris that you may place on hold. Search the collection ZPROGEN (Z-HQ Pro-Staff General Material) for available books and manuals. Our member libraries also have professional book collections that you may be able to access. 

The Public Library Collection Management Policy Template and Guide is  available for any NYS public library to use when developing their own policies. Based on requests from public libraries across the state, ESLN and PULISDO have partnered on the creation of an annotated guide to help public libraries confirm that their policies are ready for materials challenges. Written by attorney, Stephanie Cole Adams (Ask the Lawyer), but reviewed by experienced library directors, it clarifies and emphasizes not only the law underlying collection management issues, but the very different roles of trustees and directors in the collection management process. The guide is housed on the WNYLRC website with “Ask the Lawyer” resources.  

Selection Resources

Award Winners

Book Reviews

Booklists & More

Multimedia Resources

Deselection Resources

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