Library and Information Science

Library catalogs in the United States are undergoing a substantial change, called “the cataloging revolution.” The background of this change consists of three developments: 1) the increasing cost and difficulty of maintaining card catalogs; 2) the announcement of LC’s closing of the catalog and adopting AACR 2 in 1981; and 3) the rapid advancement of technology.

Research libraries, especially large academic libraries, have been interested in questions related to the closing of card catalogs and the development of automated alternatives; committees or working groups on “the future of the catolog” were appointed in some university libraries and reports were published.

Thus, first, this paper traces the brief history of the card catalog, describes the present situation in cataloging, and compares the advantages of alternative display formats (card, book, COM, on-line) using a file of machine-readable bibliographic records.

Then, based on reports, catalog system configurations (interim and long-term) are outlined, and the problems involved in the development of a collection data base are discussed in relation to a resource date base. Also, as short-range solution, seven possible options for 1981 are examined in terms of 11 factors.

Finally, the features and recommendations of six university library reports (California at Berkeley, Cornell, Princeton, Yale, Michigan, Stanford) are reviewed and several suggestions are made for computerization of cataloging in Japan.