In Cataloging Theory in Search of Graph Theory and Other Ivory Towers (Dec. 2011) Ronald Murray and Barbara Tillett wrote about enhancing cataloging theory. Murray and Tillett conclude that cataloging theory formation and practice can now be understood as a much more comprehensive, multilayered activity containing two distinct viewpoints : the cosmological view of the bibliographic universe – managing large scale resource descriptions , and the quantum level view – character sets, identifiers, RDF triples, etc.
At ALA Midwinter Diane Hillman also described cataloging practice as a more comprehensive, multilayered activity. She found the cost of traditional cataloging far too high for increasingly dubious value. Librarians must think differently. We must assume new roles as aggregators of relevant metadata content, create methods for developing and sharing data in an uncentralized environment, model and document best practices and develop vocabularies. We must learn new skills to adapt.
For many, daily work includes transfers and rebarcoding. A 2011 survey found 58 percent of professional catalogers performed copy cataloging. This work structure does not require us to take the cosmological view or to learn new skills so even if we developed new skills no one would notice. How do we bridge the gap between what we should be doing and what we are doing? Even with the appropriate skills we will not automatically be invited to the table. The University of Minnesota recently created a Data Management and Access Department, consisting of staff from systems and cataloging/metadata. This appears to be one attempt to bridge that gap.