Re: mailing list moderation

hi,

i agree that this (see below) is a fundamental question which has not been
resolved. it should also be placed in a historical context. prior to
automation/computers/Internet, no one was interested in the structure and
appearance in library catalogs except catalogers (and maybe catalog
furniture manufacturers). with the introduction of those flashy and
attractive computers, all sorts of people started worrying about how
catalogs worked and appeared--i don't quite understand why. my guess is
that this was the first instance of automation that could easily be
introduced to a public--very sexy for library directors and reference
librarians.

if that intrusion had not occured, we may very well have had by now a
crude finding list that actually worked like a catalog (i.e. at least
provided what a card catalog did plus standard displays and keyword
searching). alas, non-catalogers commandeered the catalog, searching for
the holy grail (sophisticated tool for scholarly research, or, the
everlasting quest for the "single portal"). the net result was thousands
of catalogs that all function and index and display differently. a nice
application of capitalism to library cataloging (sort of like
toothpaste--there has to be at least 1000 brands).

i'm all for reducing the number of brands of toothpaste and would be happy
with a catalog that worked. then, everyone interested in a sophisticated
tool for scholarly research could easily focus on that goal without having
to worry about the catalog

--ralph p.

> Date:    Fri, 7 Sep 2007 10:54:59 -0400
> From:    Don Hamilton <dhamilton_at_WLU.CA>
> Subject: Re: mailing list moderation
>
>>>> philipdavis4_at_YAHOO.CO.UK 07-Sep-2007 6:34 AM >>>
>>> snip
> Are we trying to provide a sophisticated tool for scholarly research or
> a crude finding list.
>>> more snip
>
> Absolutely, yes to both!
>
> don
>> more snip

Absolutely, yes to both!

don

------------------------------
A. Ralph Papakhian, Indiana University Music Library
Bloomington, IN 47405 812/855-2970 papakhi_at_indiana.edu
co-owner: MLA-L_at_listserv.indiana.edu