A case for conversational cataloging

Pages59-67
Published date01 January 1983
Date01 January 1983
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/eb044589
AuthorCaryl McAllister,A. Stratton McAllister
Subject MatterInformation & knowledge management,Library & information science
THE ELECTRONIC LIBRARY
A case for conversational
cataloging
Caryl
McAllister,
A. Stratton McAllister
Introduction
This paper discusses some of the characteristics of online cataloging
systems.
Two
basic types of interaction with a cataloging system are distinguished:
1.
Preparation of the bibliographic record offline by a cataloger followed by
entry of the information online by a clerk.
2.
Interactive consultation by the cataloger of the online catalog while entering
records.
Data-entry cataloging
Many examples of the first type of system can be found. Often, the display screen
is arranged something like the one in Figure 1. Mnemonic tags used in place of the
numeric Marc tags and indicators, are arranged down the left of the screen. The
subfield codes used in the entries on the right are indicated in the middle section. A
'$'
is used to indicate the beginnings of fields. Some of the fixed and leader fields
are listed at the bottom of the screen where the values are expected to be entered by
the operator. The clerk is expected to copy data from a form which has been filled
out by a cataloger. When the record is released for processing, programs insert
each of the entries in the appropriate index files and add the document record to the
database.
In such systems, cataloging is thought of as a procedure involving multiple
steps.
First the cataloger prepares the form, filling in the appropriate tags and indi-
cators and deciding upon the forms of
entries.
A clerk then keys the catalog record
in at a terminal. Except for error messages caused by invalid tags or similar errors,
there is virtually no interaction between the computer and the operator during the
entry phase. A listing of the catalog record is then printed for the cataloger to
check. The corrected listing is returned to the clerk for entry in the system. This
sequence is repeated until the catalog record is correct and can be released to up-
date the database.
The authors are at: IBM DV Service Zentrum, Vaihingerstrasse 151, 7000
Stuttgart 80, West Germany
Vol. 1, No. 1, January 1983 59

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT