Re: Does cataloging have value?

Edward Corrado said:

"I agree that library catalogs are limiting, but whose fault is that? It is the people working for libraries who accept limiting catalogs for what ever reason. The question I have is why do we, as a profession, accept such obvious limitations? I think blaming the systems such as library catalogs is akin to putting the cart before the horse."

When I criticize library systems, it should go without saying that I am also critizing those of us (myself included) who have been responsible for the deveoplment of these systems.

Bernie Sloan


--- On Thu, 2/12/09, Edward M. Corrado <ecorrado_at_ECORRADO.US> wrote:

> From: Edward M. Corrado <ecorrado_at_ECORRADO.US>
> Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] Does cataloging have value?
> To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
> Date: Thursday, February 12, 2009, 4:26 PM
> B.G. Sloan wrote:
> >  Library catalogs have an obvious limitation that
> doesn't seem to be discussed very often.
> >   
> 
> I agree that library catalogs are limiting, but whose fault
> is that? It is the people working for libraries who accept
> limiting catalogs for what ever reason. The question I have
> is why do we, as a profession, accept such obvious
> limitations? I think blaming the systems such as library
> catalogs is akin to putting the cart before the horse.
> 
> >  By and large, library catalogs are limited to
> searching for physical resources held by the user's
> library. This makes sense because online catalogs evolved
> from card catalogs, which were used to describe local
> holdings.
> >  I know that there are exceptions to this. Many
> libraries participate in resource sharing consortia, and
> many libraries make an effort to include records for
> e-resources in their catalogs. But, generally, most default
> catalog searches are looking for physical items held by the
> library.
> >  Why would a knowledgeable user want to use the local
> library catalog when there is a vast array of resources
> accessible by other means? (Note: that's not a
> rhetorical question).
> >   
> Well, these really depends on many things. Certainly
> timelessness is one reason. Even though we have a great ILL
> department here, I might need something now. Also, in other
> cases, I might not really not be too picky. Why should I
> make the library spend the money and time to get a book
> through ILL if they have other almost-as-good books right
> here. This really depends on what the purpose any particular
> user has at a particular point in time. This is one reason
> why I think many librarians are interested in products such
> as OCLC's Local Worldcat where users can expand there
> searching if they so choose.
> 
> Edward
> 
> 
> >  Bernie Sloan
> > Sora Associates
> > Bloomington, IN
> > 
> > 
> >