A New ‘TCB’ Coming in 2022

Throughout its history, Theology Cataloging Bulletin has evolved to meet the needs of its audience. Starting in 1983 as Current LC Subject Headings in the Field of Religion, and lovingly referred to as CLCSHITFOR, the publication distributed updated subject headings to religion and theology catalogers. In 1992, it became the Theology Cataloging Bulletin (called TCB) and expanded its content beyond subject headings to serve a broader array of needs in religion and theology cataloging.

Beginning in January 2022, a new TCB will continue its original charge of providing updated religion subject headings while carrying forward its legacy of evolving to serve a dynamic profession. TCB: Technical Services in Religion & Theology will serve those who work with religious studies and theological materials across the entire range of technical services functions: from cataloging and acquisitions to electronic resources management and digital archiving. A 2020 survey showed that while our readers still value the subject heading, classification updates, and other current TCB content, they also want to read about other areas of technical services, so we are expanding to meet those needs.

Beginning in January 2022, a new TCB will continue its original charge of providing updated religion subject headings while carrying forward its legacy of evolving to serve a dynamic profession.

Our featured section, Perspectives & Practices, will encompass the full range of technical services topics in a first-person narrative format that aims to provide insight and inspiration for others doing similar work in the field. Articles in this section may describe a project with a particular challenge, provide a first-hand account of a conference or training session, outline a workflow or process, or report on a trend in the field of technical services.

Recognizing that technical services work involves a wide range of software, our new Reviews section will offer brief reviews of open source and proprietary software, library management systems, and other tools and resources that support acquiring, maintaining, and providing access to information resources. Ranging in coverage from library-specific software to general-purpose tools useful in technical services settings, reviews might outline OpenRefine’s strengths and weaknesses for wrangling metadata or cover the affordability and usability of Microsoft Project for managing a complex technical services project.

TCB will continue to compile bibliographies of newly published articles on technical services topics, lists of upcoming professional development opportunities, news from the field, and new and changed Library of Congress Subject Headings and Library of Congress Classification numbers.

Submit to TCB

The success of this publication expansion relies on the collaboration and expertise of those who work in technical services. Whether you’re a new professional wanting to communicate your experience entering the field or an established practitioner with specialized technical services expertise, you can make a difference in the profession by sharing your knowledge, skills, and experiences. Submit a software review or a Perspectives & Practices piece directly on our Submissions page.

If you have any questions, contact us at tcb@myatla.org.