Discusses the rising costs of cataloging and the need to provide access to the increasing volume of library materials. Various cataloging elements are examined in terms of the quality they add to the record, responsibility to library users is considered, and distinctions between essential and useful information in cataloging records are discussed.…

Discusses need for retrospective conversion of library catalogs in terms of user-problems related to split catalogs in various formats. Difficulties to be overcome in retrospective conversion projects (ownership of records, costs, non-Roman script languages, standards and inhospitability of MARC for variety of manuscript and pictorial material)…

Discusses the flaws in online catalogs that lead to ineffective library use, including confusing subject access, outmoded classification systems, lack of authority control, split files and closed catalogs, lack of both menu and command modes, and lack of circulation information. Recommendations are made for improving library catalogs. (EM)