Teleconference 5 December 2001
Dewey Decimal Classification
The ACOC Teleconference began with a report from National Library representatives on a visit by Giles Martin, Assistant Editor at Forest Press, publisher of the Dewey Decimal Classification. As well as news of a number of revisions to the DDC classification scheme currently underway, Giles spoke to National Library staff on the possibility of revising the Dewey Decimal expansion numbers for Australian states and territories. National Library staff members asked that Giles produce a document setting out the reasons for the proposed changes and the expected benefits of the changes, so that consultation with Australian users could be undertaken.
Joint Steering Committee for the Revision of AACR
Ann Huthwaite, Chair of the Joint Steering Committee for the Revision of AACR and ACOC representative on JSC gave a detailed report on the most recent meeting of JSC in Ottawa Canada in October. Ann reported that the meeting had looked at a report from Jennifer Bowen, Chair of the Format Variation Working Party. The report indicated that the Working Party would set up a trial database to demonstrate the display of records collocating manifestations at the expression level in a much more thorough way than today's library catalogues were able to achieve. JSC have asked Pat Riva, a member of the Working Group to incorporate terminology from the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) into AACR with a view to making the rules more internally consistent.
JSC had also spent part of its Ottawa meeting in a strategic planning session. A start had been made, and this would be followed up in a special two-day meeting next May at Yale University, New Haven, which would focus on strategic planning. Confidence in the future of AACR, a recognition that the rules need to evolve, a desire to make them more user-friendly, and the promotion of AACR were some of the issues discussed.
The distribution and access to JSC documentation had been improved by the establishment of a password access web site, while the introduction of style sheets or templates was making submission of revised text less arduous.
Much of the JSC meeting concentrated on the newly revised chapters 12 and 3. For the discussion of changes to Chapter 3 several recognised cartographic cataloguing experts including Mary Larsgaard, Betsy Mangan and Velma Parker joined the discussion.
One of the proposed changes was an appendix of major changes put forward by the American Library Association (ALA). This would be circulated to constituent bodies for comment on the concept.
A proposal on changes to the "Rule of three" to allow unlimited additional added entry access points was placed on hold, pending an overhaul of Chapter 21. Work on this had been assigned to ACOC, and would be used at a later date.
A number of other items on which JSC are currently working had to be deferred as there was not enough time to discuss them fully, these included GMDs, the prototype of the reorganised Part 1 of AACR, Multipart items, and several late proposals from ALA. The next edition of AACR, to be published in 2002, will be in loose-leaf format.
ACOC - Constitution and Terms of Reference
ACOC reviewed its constitution and terms of reference. The constitution was felt to be satisfactory, although in communications with its sponsoring bodies (ALIA and NLA) ACOC resolved to highlight the need to refresh the membership of ACOC with new members. At present there was a lack of turnover on ACOC with a number of members having served a number of terms on the committee. Terms of Reference 1, 2, and 3 were examined and confirmed as relevant. It was suggested that the term of reference no. 4 be changed to refer specifically to DDC; the existing term of reference no. 4 would become no. 5 and two new terms of reference be added. This would result in the final four terms of reference as follows:
4. To select and brief the Australian representative on the Dewey Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee.
5. To present the Australian viewpoint to international committees and organisations.
6. To provide opportunities for professional participation in the development of cataloguing standards.
7. To provide leadership on cataloguing policy issues of national significance.
These suggestions for amendment would be taken to the sponsoring bodies for approval.
Next Cataloguing Conference
ACOC discussed the changed arrangements for cataloguing conferences whereby Sections such as the Cataloguers Section would be asked to join in a 3 day conference in non-ALIA conference years with the other special interest sections. One day would be set aside for Cataloguing special meetings, and the remaining two days would be a combined conference of Cataloguing, Health, Law and Specials, RAIS and (eventually) Technicians.
ACOC decided to seek more information on this from ALIA to determine whether there was a role for ACOC and/or state cataloguing groups in assisting with organisation of the programme. The first conference of this kind would be held in Adelaide in 2003.


