Dear Safranim, Thanks for all of the responses. I am happy to share some of the comments from our wise colleagues. I'm passing them on to the rabbi, and will be happy to assist him in classifying his collection. I also included a comment about my question and my response. Sorry for the length. It's one of those questions that our newer colleagues ask, so I thought it might be good to share. (Note, David B. Levy did a session at a recent conference on the topic, and he wrote. Also, David Elazar wrote and gave some great advice as well on the Elazar system.) Shabbat Shalom, Susan Pankowsky West End Synagogue Librarian Nashville, TN
**************************** This is a question of philosophy, standards and personnel. I vote for LC because I believe you can hire people who understand it and if not you can copy catalog, not everyone wants to do original cataloging. Then if you want to go into a Union list classification isn't relevant but having a Marc record is. just some thoughts. **************************** Whether the library goes with Elazar or Weine depends to a certain extent on the size of the library. A smaller library (under 5000 books) may do fine with Weine, but a larger library should probably use Elazar. The main difference is that Elazar is more finely classified. I have a library of about 10000 books and am in the process of switching from a made-up system to Elazar. I chose Elazar after looking at both classification schemes. It's not perfect, in fact I keep notes of what needs to be worked on in case anyone ever revises it, but it is much better than what we had. ***************************** I use Wiene and find it excellent for our synagogue library. Both Wiene and Elazar are meant for Jewish libraries so your rabbi would probably be happy using either one. Hoped this helped. If you want him in a Union Catalog some day, what system do the other libraries use? If they are varied, I personally like Elazar because it breaks the collection down nicely into logical sections of Judaic knowledge. The organization works for me since the numbers progress from sacred texts to secular information, most ancient to most modern. ***************************** You could suggest he browse a few of the catalogs listed on the AQJL website to see who has books that he has to facilitate copy cataloging. Central Cataloging System (CCS out of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles) could also help with records in either Elazar or Weine. ***************************** [question]: I mean this as a totally constructive way, and I hope you see it in that fashion. I am wondering why you specified that the rabbi was Orthodox. Nothing in the email necessitated the designation, and the phrase "one of our local rabbis," would have been equally useful. It strikes me that as Jews become increasingly under siege we must strive for unity whenever possible. [my response]:No worries. I designated him as Orthodox for only one reason - he was very interested in making sure his congregants understood where and why books were in designated areas (I don't remember the exact example, but I believe he said - why is this book on so and so's life in with a book on Kabbalah?). I thought that if I added that information, that it would help those out there with knowledge of the other classification schemes. Some are better for school, academic, etc. I absolutely don't believe in divisiveness. We only have 5 congregations, so for me, the designation also meant which shul it was (it's a relatively small Jewish community here!). Clear as mud, right? ***************************** We made our decision to use Weine a number of years ago for one synagogue library our Jewish teacher center lib, day school lib and community supplemental high school lib because of its compatibility with Dewey. The general studies portion of day school lib uses Dewey. The system is very easy to use, especially for someone with Judaic knowledge. ***************************** Specialized Judaica classification systems include Elazar, Weine, Leikind, Freidus, Scholem, etc. Elazar might be your best bet. You might want to purchase my tape on this subject that was recorded at the San Diego AJL Convention. I evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and special characteristics in the second half of the paper that was delivered. The first half of the tape looks at classification systems historically from antiquity to the Renaissance but the later half of the tape might be of interest. (from David B. Levy) ***************************** See information below regarding the Elazar Classification System. Be sure to read "Comments from Librarians" including those by Barbara Leff (show your Rabbi) and the article by Bella Weinberg (it's old, but useful). Also check out "Central Cataloging Service" and contact Lisa. "A Classification System For Libraries of Judaica" (3rd ed, 1997, Jason Aronson, New Jersey USA) The authors, David and the late Daniel Elazar (Rishon LeZion and Jerusalem) contend that there is a need for a classification system for libraries with Judaic collections to classify and arrange these collections according to Jewish concepts based upon Jewish thought and terminology. This is in contrast to the familiar classification schemes like Dewey and LC which incorporate the Bible, Judaism and Israel into the general world of knowledge without relating them to each other in the spirit of Jewish Tradition. A description in detail of "A CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR LIBRARIES OF JUDAICA" including discussions by librarians who use Elazar is available on the Elazar home page at the following URL: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/6527/class.html Pass this message on to a friend/colleague who might be interested. You may include this link in your website/home page. David Elazar (MALS U of Michigan 1965) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***************************** You may want to pass this on to him. I chose the Elazar System because it seems to be a combination of the Dewey Decimal System and the Kabbalah. The kids in our local school system are used to the Dewey Decimal System so that is why I chose to use that. also I am using MS Access to record the books in a database and put in the number so that I can keep track of them. Susan Pankowsky [EMAIL PROTECTED] =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
