A few years into the development of Cataloger's Desktop, an electronic cataloging tool aggregator available through the Library of Congress, is an opportune time to assess its impact on cataloging operations. A search for online cataloging tools on the Internet indicates a proliferation of cataloging tool aggregators which provide access to online documentation related to cataloging practices and procedures. Cataloger's Desktop stands out as a leader among these aggregators. Results of a survey to assess 159 academic ARL and large public libraries' reasons for use or non-use of Cataloger's Desktop highlight the necessity of developing strategies for its successful implementation including training staff, providing documentation, and managing technical issues.

The Cataloger's workstation revisited: utilizing cataloger's desktop

An explanation of work experience encountered in the authors' five libraries, incorporating a review of professional literature, describes the effect of automating technical services upon cataloging personnel and operations. The librarian-of-the-future concept suggests that a new paradigm is needed for bibliographic services. Rather than describe an individual library, this article focuses on ideas and concepts basic to the design of future systems. Trends identified are managerial issues, coordination of work flow, increased expectations, the new bibliographic specialist, scholarship and information production plus performance output measures, gateway functions for library technology, service to library user groups, status concerns, and less-hierarchical organizational structures.

Christopher P. Thornton Mls

Papers

Bibliographic Services of the Future