This paper describes and analyzes three library classification schemes for Judaica in their historical context and discusses how the libraries for which they were originally designed, and the interests and background of their compilers, shaped the design of each scheme. The three schemes in question are the Freidus, Scholem and Elazar classifications. An outline is given of how each scheme has continued to develop since its first publication and how they have been adapted by other libraries to suit their particular collections.

Presented by Vanessa Freedman at the 2011 AJL Convention in Montreal, Quebec.

30 min 30 sec

RDA, Resource Description and Access, is the proposed content standard for cataloging that would supersede the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules. The Library of Congress, National Agricultural Library, National Library of Medicine and 23 partnering institutions joined together to test RDA as a first step to determine whether or not the standard should be adopted. Joan Biella of the Library of Congress and Heidi Lerner of Stanford University Libraries were the only two Hebraica catalogers to participate in the test. Heidi was not able to attend the convention, but Joan spoke about their experiences as official participants in the test and focus on how what they learned and experienced through the test can impact future Hebraica cataloging.

Presented by Joan Biella at the 2011 AJL Convention in Montreal, Quebec.

56 min 25 sec