Policy Change Regarding Classification in Original Cataloging
18 September 2003

Effective immediately, we will suspend the practice of assigning classification numbers to titles selected for storage at HD.

The current financial situation requires that we limit our services to those deemed as core to our primary users. Classification numbers had been required for HD original cataloging as a service to other libraries that harvest our bibliographic information from the utilities. Continuing to provide this service for the benefit of external agencies will consume time needed for tasks that serve the Harvard community directly. Fewer than 2% of all HOLLIS searches are by classification number (and most of those are done by technical services staff.) Providing increased subject access to a greater number of titles is a more effective method of assisting HOLLIS searchers.