Cataloging: An Exciting Subject for Exciting Times

Cataloging remains a fundamental component of library and information science and has many lessons to teach the architects of the Internet age. All students can benefit from taking a cataloging course, especially if it stresses cataloging as one specific answer to the problems of managing information and places cataloging within a larger context that also includes indexing and Internet search engines. Students deserve cataloging courses that combine theory and practice, avoid memorization, and require them to show a mastery of core principles rather than picky details. This paper includes specific suggestions on how to make cataloging exciting. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH.