"And we could have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you
pesky non-catalogers!"
What sort of library do you work at where the catalogers are the
be-all end-all of decision making?
-Ross.
On 9/7/07, A. Ralph Papakhian <papakhi_at_indiana.edu> wrote:
> 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
>
Received on Sat Sep 08 2007 - 00:36:06 EDT