Recommends the establishment of a national bibliographic center for public libraries as an alternative source of cataloging. (PF)

Discusses several areas to be considered in planning for library automation: (1) cataloging standards; (2) MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) format; (3) database design; (4) retrospective conversion; (5) REMARC, a retrospective conversion service; (6) MiniMARC, a stand-alone cataloging support system; (7) copy-specific file conversion; and (8)…

This discussion of the effects of library automation and networking on original catalog librarians describes personal experiences with the transition from a manual to an automated cataloging system at the Michigan State University Libraries, and presents recommendations for the future. (MES)

Review of papers presented by Peter Spyers-Duran and Sanford Berman at the Associated Colleges of the Midwest Conference on Management Issues in Automated Cataloging. (KP)

Libraries must increasingly accommodate bibliographic records encoded with a variety of standards and emerging standards, including Dublin Core, MODS, and VRA Core. The problem is that many libraries still rely solely on MARC and AACR2. The best-trained professionals to lead librarians through the metadata maze are catalogers. Catalogers…

Discusses the pros and cons of library cooperation as exemplified by interlibrary loan and OCLC. Moving away from cooperation toward the more intensive use of local systems is suggested as one alternative for the future. (MES)

We should be grateful that Terry Reese had to work his way through college. As a work-study student, taught to do cartographic cataloging in the University, of Oregon's map library, he discovered the mental challenges libraries offered. Later he became Oregon State University (OSU)'s cataloger for networked resources and digital unit production…

The imperatives of the opening age of computer assisted library service requires the adoption of this standard. Much of the international bibliographical and cataloging world has already seen the light. Shall we lag far behind? (Author/NH)

The author, a working librarian-programmer, wonders how such a far-reaching recommended standard could have reached this advanced stage of development with so little public notice. (38 references) (Author/NH)

Explores nature and magnitude of extensions needed in order to use a library circulation control system as an online catalog, noting Margaret Mann's eight functions of a library catalog, authority control, cross references, correlating subjects, structure revision, adding access, terminal needs, and system reliability. Nine references are cited.…

Discusses the possible effects of library automation and networking on standards of catalog accuracy, catalog maintenance, circulation control, and other processes, and describes the mission of the Research Libraries Group (RLG), a consortium of 25 research libraries. (FM)

Recommends a five-year delay in implementation of AACR II to allow projected improvements in library automation to lower costs and increase the benefits of change. Such a delay will allow the adoption of an uncompromised code of cataloging practice at minimal cost. (RAA)

Discusses the purpose and benefits of revised Anglo American Cataloging Rules (AACR2) and the spectrum of opinion on the value of change in cataloging rules. Topics covered include costs versus benefits, local solutions versus Universal Bibliographic Control, "superimposition" (Library of Congress policy), the International Standard…

Expresses concern about the future of cataloging and its overall quality, noting problems in applying the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR2), complications caused by computer applications, the deterioration of quality control in subject heading authorities, cost considerations, and the loss of quality control in general. Four references are…

Discusses concerns of librarians entering field of library automation emphasizing issues surrounding automated circulation control systems and online catalogs. Factors which have contributed to dramatic growth in these areas are enumerated: MARC II format, reduced computer costs, commercial vendors, scarce resources, and turnkey systems. (EJS)