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I am sorry to be taking your time again, but several people asked for a compilation of comments about Classification Web. My question was sent to both the OCLC list and to the ARLIS/NA list. The compilation below includes comments from both.

Susan T. Ferrer-Vinent

Librarian

Denver Art Museum Library

100 West 14th Avenue Parkway

Denver, CO 80204-2788

720-913-0100

OCLC LIST RESPONSES

Academic libraries

it is absolutely essential for our work

I probably could catalog without ClassWeb, but it would take me much longer. Typing a subject heading, class number, or keyword is much faster in ClassWeb than using the Big Red books of LC Subject Headings. Also, the print classification schedules and subject headings are out of date as soon as soon as they are published. ClassWeb is updated constantly, so you know when you look up a subject heading that it is definitely valid. I would highly recommend Classification Web.

Although we have a print copy of the LC Classification schedules, they are out-of-date and not current. It would be a lot more painful to assign LC Classification numbers (or consult them) without ClassWeb. We share access among 3 people generally (cataloger + 2 cataloging assistants), only one person can use it at a time, but this is seldom a problem.

I’ve used it for the last 5 years or so, and I love it. I started working with the print 25 years ago, and I found it easy to switch.

We have a multiuser subscription and use it constantly. One of the primary advantages of the Classweb is that you have an effective index to the entire LC classification system, instead of the back of the book indexes for each subject class.

I'd consider it essential!

I also consider it essential! Using the Hierarchy Classification Browser, it applies all tables automatically, so you don’t have to poke around and look for the correct table. It also provides correspondences between subject headings and classification, based on the data found in LC’s catalog; you can get a good idea of possible subjects or class numbers, and look there first. I keep it open on my desktop every time I am cataloging.

I use it daily. It is worth the cost.

For how fast it’s updated versus the paper equivalents, LCSH-LCCN correlations, browsing classification schedules, all of it. It’s a VERY popular tool here.

Our library has both the print schedules and a multi-person subscription to ClassWeb. I use both. ClassWeb is up-to-date, and very convenient for checking a call number. If I need to come up with a call number from scratch, I often find it easier to use the print schedules to nail down the area I want to put something in, then doublecheck ClassWeb to make sure it hasn't been changed. (This is especially true if I'm not very familiar with the particular class schedule.) One convenience of ClassWeb: clicking on some call numbers automatically applies the table to them.

The best thing about ClassWeb is the LC Class/LCSH correlations search, so that, for example, you can search the LC subject heading "Russia--Civilization--1801-1917" and see that, in the LC catalog, it was used in 16 bib. records that were assigned the class number DK189.2, 3 times with DK32, once with PG3325.A16, etc. It's an awesome tool.

We couldn't live without ClassWeb. Well, we could, but it would make life a lot more unpleasant. The LCSH-LCC (and vice versa) Correlations are worth the price alone, I think. You put in the LCSH string and ClassWeb searches LC's catalog and brings back the most commonly assigned class #s for books with that SH. You still have to check the number in the schedule (one more click) to make sure it's still valid, etc, but that saves so much time. I also love the way it does all the math for you when you're adding numbers from multiple tables to build your class number. You don't have to be a mathematician to construct numbers in the K and H schedules anymore!

After reviewing our budget and seeing that our annual replacements were costing as much as Classification Web would cost, we took the plunge and subscribed. I am the sole cataloger so we only have to pay for one subscription, which helps. CW does replace the big red books for subject headings, and opens the space in my tiny office where I used to house the paper version of the schedules. Plus (and this is my favorite part) the capability to make notes about one’s cataloging decisions is wonderful. Occasionally I miss being able to have two paper pages open on my desk at the same time to compare if I’m having to choose where best to class something, but that is rare and is outweighed by all the plusses.

where and how can you make notes in ClassWeb?

I wondered about that too, but I just checked the tutorial section under ClassWeb, and it talks about making personal notes (http://classificationweb.net/tutorial/6notes.html). However, the tutorial doesn’t seem to apply to me – I don’t have the little N that you need to click on in order to make the notes. My institution has set things up so that ClassWeb users are automatically logged in – since the notes apply to your log-on ID, and I (and others who access ClassWeb here) don’t have a personal log-on ID, that may be why I don’t have the ability to take notes. Your situation might be similar. If I’m wrong and this feature just needs to be activated somehow, somebody please let me know, since it seems interesting and I had no idea it existed!

After the subject headings you see H R B L D S N . If you click on the N you can make notes. Also, on bottom of the Main Menu page, you can choose which ClassWeb browser to use as your default. There is a difference, so it's good to check them out.

I followed the instructions but I only get, H R B L D S , and no N at the end. Would you have any ideas why?

Yes, in order to notate ClassWeb, you need to use Manual Login, even if everyone at your institution uses the same login & pw. Just click on “Manual Login” on the home page (it’s in very tiny print at the bottom.) Your edits will be seen by everyone who uses that login. It’s great for local “don’t use this number, use X instead” notes!

In ClassWeb there are two passwords, one administrative and the other read only. Only under the administrative password can you add notations.

I use the online version every day. I found it helpful, easy to use, and up to date (which is not true for the print version).

“Class Web is wonderful!” comment. It was one of the first things I requested when I started at my current institution, and I probably would have had a nervous breakdown trying to do our reclassification project without it. Along with all the other fabulous features that the others mentioned, I also like the Dewey-LCC correlation feature. It’s nice for some of those records in OCLC that only include a Dewey number when I need the LCC number. Well worth the money.

I absolutely love it, and I long ago gave up my looseleaf Law schedules in favor of ClassWeb.

It is such a great tool, one that I use almost every time I catalog something that’s a little unusual.

I am extremely happy with our Classification Web subscription. It has been very useful in troubleshooting LC Classification and subject headings in my day-to-day cataloging without scrambling around for a variety of other resources. We have also found it very helpful in the creation of subject collection development policies, and other library documents. Is it essential – no probably not, does it make my life much easier.

Library services company

We also find it essential. We have teams of catalogers and purchase the multi-user subscription. Thankfully, the days of flipping through volumes are past.

Public library

We do not have a subscription in my current library system, but I have used it previously. I honestly miss it!

ARLIS LIST RESPONSES

Academic libraries

we do subscribe to LC's Classification Web. I find it an essential tool in cataloging books all the time. We do not have the paper books from years back.

yes it is an essential cataloging tool, and by the way it is useful for much more than cataloging. Collection managers used it extensively for identify call numbers ranges for developing a shared collection development profile.

I subscribe and use it frequently. The majority of cataloging that I do is copy cataloging, but it is very helpful when I do do original cataloging and also when assigning call numbers. I do consider it an essential cataloging tool, and think that it helps me keep our small collection browseable for students and for faculty.

I consider myself a new user of Class Web (subscribed in Sept. '09) and have found it to be very useful. I especially like the subject heading/class number correlation search. As w/many of the software programs we use in libraries today there is much to be discovered about Class Web through in depth use of it. I wish I had more time simply to explore its many facets. I admit I needed to jump in and use it right away and didn't spend as much time as I should have w/the tutorial. Overall Class Web seems to be an excellent to stay on top of changes to LCSH in general.

For us, it’s essential for schedules outside ‘N’ and for updates to the printed ‘N’ schedule. The subject-to-class search is also useful. Since the bulk of our collection is classed in ‘N’, I don’t make heavy use of it but consider the subscription cost to be money well spent

Art museum libraries

Yes, I do consider it an essential cataloging tool. Ever since my N class book went missing, I’ve relied solely on Classification Web. I find the “LCSH & LC Classification Number Correlations” extremely handy. It’s also handy in looking up subject headings. One of the only drawbacks is when composing class numbers, it’s less user-friendly than the print version, because you cannot easily “flip” back to the tables. But, I’ve gotten used to it.

I'm sure I could do my job without it, but I sure prefer doing my job with it!

When we changed from Dewey to LC a couple of years ago, we started to subscribe to ClassWeb. I can't imagine getting along without it. We have the unlimited time subscription, even though I am the only cataloger. I highly recommend the trial subscription to get an idea of what it is about.

We do, need it, and use it.

I would definitely get a subscription. To be perfectly blunt, they are a royal pain as far as billing and payments go, but I can't live without it; I am always logged in whenever I'm cataloging.

We were finding that paying for and storing the updated classification publications became problematic. We kept the "N" classification book but gave the rest away, and I rely on Classweb for all classification questions, including "N" as the online content is more updated than our current hard copy.

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