Library Cataloging Theory
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The purpose of this research is to examine certain consequences to cataloging praxis proceeding from evidence that li brary cataloging theory seems at least as much a social construc tion as either art or science. Apparent blind spots with regard to the social content of even thoughtful cata loging analyses create conceptual impediments against resolving to this day what Osborn, writing in 1941, terms a cataloging "crisis."Wilson, whose focus is on the tensions inherent in manual and online systems, distinguishes between "what catalogs are supposed to do" and "how and to what extent they do it" (Wilson 256), and this sentiment is echoed in various ways throughout the literature. But it is misleading to assume (and Wilson does not) that settling the tension between 3x5 hard copies and online media will settle controversial cataloging issues. Of more significance is the sociology of cataloging theory. Osborn's call for a pragmatic approach to cataloging instead of one bogged down by "legalistic" definitions and classifications, "perfectionistic" identification, or ultradescriptive bib liographic annotation of attributes and contents in part acknow ledges that cataloging needs of (say) a scholarly library may be different from those of engineering or fine-arts libraries. While virtually all libraries can make use of LC cards, "this does not mean that such libraries should adopt any more Library of Con gress standards than are right and proper for their . . . insti tution" (402)
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Approximate Word count = 1063
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page)
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