Technical Services Procedures

• Scope of Policy
  • This policy applies to all classified materials in libraries served by the Technical Services Division of Ellis Library.
• Definition
  • Reclassification is defined as the assigning of a new classification number that is different from the one already on materials.
• General Policy
  • If classification was correct when the material was acquired and processed, reclassification will not normally be done.
• Specifications and Exceptions
  • (a) If an error was made in the original classification, reclassification will be done upon agreement of the reference or branch librarian in charge, the Associate Director for Technical Resource Systems and Services in consultation with the head of Cataloging, and, where appropriate, the supervisor of Shelving/head of Access Services (in case of multi–volume works).
  • (b) If, in the event of a mass transfer of materials based upon classification number, certain works falling within the affected classification must absolutely remain in their present library, special reclassification may be done. The concurrence of the reference or branch librarian in charge, the Associate Director for Technical Resource Systems and Services in consultation with the head of Cataloging, and, where appropriate, the supervisor of Shelving/Head of Access Services is necessary.
  • In special instances, material not falling into categories (a) and (b) can be reclassified. This reclassification decision will be made based upon a request presented by the reference or branch librarian in charge that library user’s access is being hampered by the present classification. The decision will be made by the reference or branch librarian in charge, the Associate Director for Technical Resource Systems and Services in consultation with the head of Cataloging, and, where appropriate, the supervisor of Shelving/Head of Access Services (in case of multi–volume works).
  • Where editions have been split by the use of different LC classification, all reclassification requests will receive as high a priority as possible based on present workload, staffing, and priorities in Cataloging, Catalog Management, Physical Processing, and Access Services.
• Access to Materials during Reclassification
  • A temporary card containing pertinent information will be filed in the shelf list.
  • Material remaining in a department for more than 24 hours will be charged to the department.

Sponsor: Drew Racine, January 13, 1983
Approved by Library Council: February 17, 1983
Revised and approved by Library Council: December 16, 1986
Revised by Technical Services Management Group: November 28, 1995
Revision Approved by Library Council: February 16, 1996