In-Depth Guide: Corporate Libraries

In corporate environments, libraries often serve as knowledge management centres, focusing on industry-specific resources and proprietary materials. Cataloging and classification practices in this setting need to prioritize ease of access, confidentiality, and alignment with business goals. This guide provides advice tailored to the nuances of corporate libraries.

​Corporate Library Cataloging Overview

  • Business Alignment: Catalog and classify materials in a way that aligns with corporate strategies, industry focus, and internal jargon.
  • Confidentiality: Implement strict access controls and privacy settings for sensitive materials.

​Cataloging Standards

  • Custom Classification Systems: Develop or adapt classification systems that are directly relevant to the business’s unique needs.
  • Proprietary Formats: Catalog proprietary formats, ensuring they are searchable and accessible within the company’s intranet.

​Special Cataloging Considerations

  • Market Research Reports: Give particular attention to cataloging market research, with metadata reflecting the business context.
  • Internal Documents: Catalog internal documents (white papers, memos, etc.) with an eye to confidentiality and corporate hierarchy access levels.

​Digital and Multimedia Resources

  • Digital Asset Management: Integrate with digital asset management systems for handling multimedia and digital resources.
  • Subscription Databases: Ensure seamless access to subscription databases and services through catalog links.

​Collaborative Cataloging

  • Department Collaboration: Collaborate with different departments to understand their information needs and cataloging preferences.
  • Vendor Content Integration: Work with vendors to integrate external content into the corporate catalog effectively.

​User-Friendly Catalog Interfaces

  • Search Customization: Customize search interfaces to match corporate users’ search behaviours and preferences.
  • Mobile Access: Ensure catalog is accessible on corporate mobile devices for on-the-go access.

​Authority Control

  • Corporate Authorship: Track corporate authorship and contributions meticulously for internal documentation and reports.
  • Terminology Consistency: Maintain consistent terminology that reflects corporate language and acronyms.

​Technology and Systems Integration

  • Intranet Integration: Integrate the cataloging system with the corporate intranet for seamless user experience.
  • Knowledge Management Systems: Ensure that cataloging practices align with broader knowledge management strategies.

​Training and Support

  • Staff Training: Train staff on specific cataloging procedures that reflect the corporate environment’s uniqueness.
  • User Training: Offer tutorials and help sessions for employees to navigate the catalog effectively.

​Collection Access and Circulation

  • Remote Access: Provide robust remote access options for traveling employees and telecommuters.
  • Borrowing Policies: Develop clear borrowing policies that account for the potential need for confidentiality and tracking.

​Cataloging Ethics and Compliance

  • Compliance: Adhere to legal and compliance requirements when cataloging materials, especially proprietary or sensitive information.
  • Audit Readiness: Maintain records and cataloging practices that are audit-ready at any time.

​Evaluation and Feedback

  • User Feedback: Regularly solicit feedback from employees to improve the cataloging system.
  • Performance Metrics: Establish performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the cataloging system.
​By considering these specialized aspects of corporate library cataloging and classification, librarians can ensure that the system is optimized for quick information retrieval, confidentiality, and strategic value. The catalog should be a tool that empowers employees with the information they need while protecting the company's intellectual assets.