Q. Why do I have to have cataloging continuing education (CE)?
SHARE cataloging policy requires every cataloger to obtain 15 hours of continuing education related to cataloging each fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). It is important to stay current on both local and national/international cataloging policies and procedures.
Q. Does any continuing education qualify?
No, only continuing education related to cataloging will fulfill this requirement.
Q. How can I obtain my 15 hours of CE?
There are a variety of ways to get your cataloging continuing education. These include:
- Attending Polaris training
- Attending the monthly SHARE catalogers training session
- If unable to attend the catalogers training session, listening to the recording and correctly answering the questions
- Attending SHARE Chat sessions focused on cataloging, or serials and cataloging
- Attending SHARE cataloging work sessions
- Attending in-person cataloging classes, both those offered by SHARE or from other sources
- Attending online cataloging classes, such as those available from WebJunction, OCLC, or other sources
- Participation as a member of the SHARE Bibliographic and Cataloging Standards Committee, or attending a committee meeting as an observer
- Viewing Polaris how-to videos on the SHARE website
- Attending cataloging-related webinars, such as those offered through ALA
- Self-study or reading about cataloging topics
Q. How is my cataloging continuing education tracked?
SHARE Bibliographic Services staff maintains a database of all SHARE catalogers where cataloging continuing education is recorded. If you registered for an IHLS-sponsored event through L2 (which would include catalogers training sessions, Polaris training, SHARE Bibliographic and Cataloging Standards committee meetings, SHARE cataloging classes or work sessions, etc.), and your attendance has been recorded, Bibliographic Services will use that to enter accumulated hours in the cataloging CE database.
Q. What if I get cataloging CE that is not listed in L2?
You can let us know about outside cataloging CE by completing the Report Cataloging Continuing Education form. Click on the link or go to Cataloging>Forms on the SHARE home page. For your own records, it’s a good idea to also record any outside CE (not just cataloging) in the Learning Journal section of your L2 account. Use the webform to report cataloging CE obtained through listening to a recording of a catalogers training session, online training through OCLC or WebJunction, ALCTS webinars from ALA, etc. – anything you didn't sign up for through L2.
Q. What happens if I am not able to get the required 15 hours of cataloging continuing education in the fiscal year?
The Problem Resolution for Bibliographic Services operational guideline describes the procedures that will be followed if the continuing education requirement is not met.
Q. What are some online resources for cataloging training?
Here are some links to sites that offer opportunities for cataloging continuing education. This is not an exhaustive list.