Course Syllabus

Independent Study in Idaho

ISI Website | indepst@uidaho.edu | 208-885-6641

LIBS 5180 Classification and Cataloging

Sponsoring Institution: University of Idaho

3 Credits

Instructor Information

Course Instructor: Rami Attebury

  • Email: rattebur@uidaho.edu
  • Phone: 208.885.2503
  • Office Hours: By Appointment

Ramirose Attebury is the Head of Technical Services and an associate professor at the University of Idaho Library. She holds an MLIS from the University of South Carolina, MA in history from Central Washington University, and a PhD in education from the University of Idaho.

Course Description

Organization of library materials, principles of cataloging, subject analysis, classification, bibliographic methods, Dewey decimal system. Research project and paper required for graduate credit.

Prerequisite: LIBS 4100

Corequisite: LIBS 4130 and LIBS 4140/5140

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Understanding ISBD rules creating catalog records
  • Understanding the format of MARC bibliographic records
  • Creating original MARC records for items in a variety of formats
  • Understanding the purpose of and identifying name authority records
  • Understanding and assigning Sears subject headings
  • Understanding and assigning numbers in the Dewey Decimal Classification system

Required Materials

  • Access to school library.
  • Kelsey, Marie. Cataloging for School Librarians. New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014. ISBN: 9781442232457. *This item is available as an eBook through the University of Idaho Library. You can find it through the Library Reading List link in Canvas. Alternatively, you may purchase or rent your own print or electronic copy of the book, or you may use the University of Idaho’s eBook free of charge. If you use the library version, please be aware that our licensing agreement restricts use to three users at any given time, meaning if other patrons are using the book, you may need to wait to access it.
  • Dewey, Melvil, and Joan S. Mitchell. Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index. 14th or 15th edition. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc, 2012. ISBN: 9780910608817
  • Miller, Joseph, Susan McCarthy, and Minnie E. Sears. Sears List of Subject Headings, 22nd ed. New York: H.W. Wilson Co, 2010. ISBN: 1642653713*This item is available as an eBook through the University of Idaho Library. You can find it through the Library Reading List link in Canvas. Alternatively, you may purchase or rent your own print or electronic copy of the book, or you may use the University of Idaho’s eBook free of charge. 

Library Access

As a student in this course, you will have access to the University of Idaho Library.  However, because your Canvas credentials may be different from those required for library access, you will likely need to open Canvas and library resources in two separate browsers (like Chrome and Firefox). Alt+Tab will allow you to quickly switch between the two. 

Login to library resources require your Vandal email address and password.  If you are unsure of your Vandal email address and password, please reach out to the Office of Information Technology. 

Course Rules and Requirements

Each lesson includes objectives, vocabulary words as needed, a reading assignment, a lesson, and a written assignment. Some assignment questions will require you to use the Appendix, located in the list of links on the left-side of Canvas, under Syllabus/Course Guide. Students should write in their own words when answering questions. Cataloging is a very exact activity which requires careful attention to detail; therefore, one half of a point will be taken off of assignments for spelling errors or typos. 

Graded assignments with corrections and suggestions for improvement will be available via Canvas within seven days of submission. 

Assignment Guidelines

  • Students may submit up to 2 assignments at once. Students may submit up to 2 assignments in one week.
  • Wait for grades and feedback on assignments prior to submitting subsequent assignments.
  • Keep a copy of every assignment submitted. Include your name and V Number on every submission.
  • Students should submit assignments via Canvas as Word Documents. PDFs will not be accepted. Students will receive graded assignments via Canvas.
  • Students may resubmit graded assignments once to improve their grade. 

Exam Guidelines

  • Exams do not require a proctor.  Once you have completed all required assignments, exams will be made available in Canvas. 
  • Wait for grades and feedback on lessons prior to taking exams.
  • Exams are open book/open note.

Grade Information

The course grade will be based upon the following considerations:

  • Lesson 1 = 30 pts
  • Lesson 2-10 (80 pts each) = 720 pts
  • Lesson 11 = 100 pts
  • Exams 1 & 2 (125 pts each) = 250 pts       

Grade Scale

Points earned (graduate)

Letter grade

Percent 

990-1,100

A

90–100%

880-989

B

80–89%

770-879

C

70–79%

660-769

D

60–69%

559 or less

F

0–59%

Course Policies

Refer to the ISI Policies for the most current policies and procedures, including information on setting up accounts, student confidentiality, exams, transcripts, course exchanges, refunds, academic integrity, library resources, disability support and other services. 

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO POLICIES AND RESOURCES

Academic Integrity

A core value at UI is the ideal of academic honesty and integrity. UI students live and work in a community which emphasizes their responsibility for helping to determine and enforce high standards of academic conduct. The University of Idaho expects all students to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty, and to refrain from any action which infringes upon academic freedom of other members of the community. Please review the UI Student Code of Conduct Article II - Academic Honesty. 

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is using someone else’s words, ideas, or work and presenting it as your own. This includes copying, rewording, or summarizing someone else’s writing without giving them credit, as well as taking another person’s ideas and putting them in new words without citing them.

Your assignments should be your original work. When using outside sources, you must cite them. If you use someone’s exact words, put them in quotation marks and give proper credit. If you use their ideas, make sure you cite them even if you’ve rewritten the wording. When you fail to do so, it constitutes academic dishonesty. 

Artificial Intelligence

AI with Acknowledgement  

As artificial intelligence tools become more widely available, it is important to clarify how they may or may not be used in this course. The following policy is designed to support your learning and ensure academic integrity.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools—including but not limited to ChatGPT, Copilot, Perplexity, Grammarly, image generators, and automated coding/writing assistants—may be used in this course if that use is properly documented and cited.  

Students must (1) cite any AI-generated material using a clear attribution and appropriate citation format (e.g., MLA, APA, etc.) and (2) include a brief (2–3 sentence) note explaining how the tool was used, including the prompt or settings. Unauthorized or undisclosed use of AI tools will be considered a violation of academic integrity under the University of Idaho Student Code of Conduct and may affect your grade.  

This practice helps you reflect on your learning process and ensures transparency in your academic work. If you're unsure how to document or cite AI use, please reach out or visit the University of Idaho Writing Center for support. 

Learning Civility

In any environment in which people gather to learn, it is essential that all members feel as free and safe as possible in their participation. To this end, it is expected that everyone in this course will be treated with mutual respect and civility, with an understanding that all of us (students, instructors, professors, guests, teaching assistants, etc.) will be respectful and civil to one another in discussion, in action, in teaching, and in learning.

Should you feel any classroom interactions do not reflect an environment of civility and respect, you are encouraged to reach out to me or an appropriate campus resource to discuss your concern.

Some appropriate campus resources to express a concern or request support include the Dean of Students Office (208-885-6757 or VandalCARE referral), the Counseling and Mental Health Center (208-885-6716), or the Office of Civil Rights and Investigations (208-885-4285).

Center for Disability Access & Resources (CDAR)

UI is committed to ensuring an accessible learning environment where course or instructional content are usable by all students and faculty. If you believe that you qualify for disability-related academic adjustments for this class, please contact CDAR to discuss eligibility. A current accommodation notification from CDAR is required before any modifications above and beyond what is otherwise available for all other students in this class will be provided.

Please be advised that disability-related academic adjustments are not retroactive. CDAR is located at the Bruce Pitman Building, Suite 127. Their phone number is 208-885-6307 and email is cdar@uidaho.edu.

For a complete listing of services and hours visit www.uidaho.edu/student-resources/disability-accessibility-resources.

Nondiscrimination Policy

UI has a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. This policy applies to all programs, services, and facilities, and includes, but is not limited to, applications, admissions, access to programs and services, and employment. Sexual harassment violates state and federal law and policies of the Board of Regents, and is expressly prohibited. UI also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, as stated in FSH 3215. The entire FSH can be accessed online at www.uidaho.edu/policies/fsh.

Complaints about discrimination or harassment should be brought to the attention of the Office of Civil Rights and Investigations (ocri@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4285). Retaliation for bringing forward a complaint is prohibited by FSH 3810.

UI Moscow Land Acknowledgement

The University of Idaho welcomes and respects all people. UI Moscow is located on the homelands of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), Palus (Palouse), and Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene) tribes. We extend gratitude to the indigenous people that call this place home, since time immemorial.

Technology Help

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