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Starting a library is an exciting time. It involves a lot of work, planning and preparing. Starting a library can also be confusing if you are unaware of what goes into making a library organized and accessible to all it’s users [the people who the library is intended to serve e.g. youths; adults and children in the masjid, new Muslims, university/college students etc.].
If you want a quick idea of what you can do to get a library up and
running, then the following information may be helpful, insha’ Allah. Bear in mind that
the library cataloguing and classification systems used around the world do not
adequately cover the myriad and detailed nature of the subject of Islaam.
Libraries in Muslim countries may have modified these systems to meet the
demands of their users or may even have designed an Islaamic library
organization system. If anyone has information on this please forward to the
author at saaraali@yahoo.com. Shukran. Using what
information is available on standard library systems, Muslims can still organize a library so that it is accessible and user-friendly. There are two
main aspects to getting materials organized in a library – Classification and
Cataloguing: Classification
Classification is
the process of assigning subject relevant numbers to materials in order to
group materials on the same topic together thereby making them accessible. The Dewey Decimal System is a popular classification system used in school, public and small libraries. Whilst the Library of Congress classification system is used in academic and special libraries. For an Islamic library the following subject areas can be used to sort materials in the collection: Subject
Categories : Quraan Tafseer [Explanation] of Quraan Fiqh Hadeeth -
Bukhari; Muslim; Sunan Abu Dawud and Muwatta -
Collections of Hadeeth Aqeedah Tawheed Taharah [Purification] Salaah Sawm [Fasting] Zakaah Hajj Angels Day of Judgment Education Politics and Law Knowledge Quraanic Sciences Islamic Science Islamic History Islamic Geography Marriage Women’s Issues Youth Concerns Social Issues and
Problems Death and
Funerals Cookery Khutbahs Da’wah General Works on
Islam Language e.g. learning Arabic language Other Materials [Arrange by format; then subject] -
Videos/DVDs/CDs -
Magazines -
Maps -
Almanacs/calendars -
Audio tapes – cassettes -
Brochures Reference
Materials: -
Dictionaries e.g.
Arabic-English dictionary -
Muslim Directories e.g. masjid
location; Muslim community guide -
Islamic World Atlas - Islamic Encyclopedias CataloguingCataloguing is the
process of recording vital information about an item. This would include name
of author [writer]; title of book; publishers name, date of
copyright/publication; ISBN [International Standard Book Number] Author
Catalogue Card
ISL Qadhi,
Abu Ammaar Yasir 297
Qad Dua.
The weapon of the believer / by Abu Ammar Yasir Qadhi Al-Hidaayah
Publishing: Birmingham, 2001 240
p. 1898649510
Title Catalogue Card
ISL Dua.
The weapon of the believer 297 Qad Abu Ammar
Yasir Qadhi Dua.
The weapon of the believer / by Abu Ammar Yasir Qadhi Al-Hidaayah
Publishing: Birmingham, 2001 240
p. 1898649510 Shelf List Card
ISL Qadhi,
Abu Ammaar Yasir 297
Qad Dua.
The weapon of the believer / by Abu Ammar Yasir Qadhi Al-Hidaayah
Publishing: Birmingham, 2001 240 p. 1898649510 June 10, 2002 $20.00
If you are just beginning and your library is very small you can do cataloguing that involves a combination of the two methods above. That is, create one card for each item that contains the main access point [it may be author or just the title if there is no clear author]; the price and date of accession etc. Other Matters to Know About
Here are a few
things you may want to get to help you in organizing the materials you have in
a neat and easy-to-find manner. Not all are required. Those items that are
necessary are indicated with an *. Equipment
§
Shelves for books * §
Racks or stands for magazines §
Cabinets/cupboards [long drawers] for maps §
Shelves or rack for videos §
Computers or drawer [card] for catalogue §
Computer or drawers [for pockets and cards] or binder [for pockets and
cards] for circulation i.e. lending books §
Tables and chairs for users to read and study §
Couch/sofa for users to browse and read §
Desk/table for borrowing [checkout] and returning [checkin] §
Printer [if using computer] or typewriter Supplies
§
Stamps with name of institution *
§
Registration cards for users [if borrowing] * §
Cards for users and books [if borrowing] * §
Pockets for books and users [if borrowing] * §
Tape * §
Labels * §
Catalogue cards [if using card system] Resources
Libraries for All. How to
Start and Run a Basic Library.
This is a good introduction to starting a library.
A bit long, but helpful. Read it online at http://worldlibraries.org/publications/lfa/1cover.htm
or download as Adobe PDF file to
read from http://worldlibraries.org/publications/lfa.shtml Dewey Decimal
Classification System [DDC] The publishers of the DDC have a website that
explains how the system works and give an outline of the numbers assigned to
various subject areas [see ‘DDC Summaries’ for breakdown of the classes]. http://www.oclc.org/dewey/about/about_the_ddc.htm
Library Equipment
and Supplies [International Supplier] Brodart – http://www.brodart.com/ The First Steps When Starting a Special Library Starting a Special Library from Scratch by Ginger L. Roth, Spring Semester 2002.
College of Library and Information Science -- University of South Carolina May Allaah
grant you success and reward you for all your efforts. Print Resources | Library Furnishings and Automation Systems Library Catalogues | Starting Off | Articles |
Last updated: July 09, 2008/Rajab 06, 1429