Now that I am becoming really interested in cataloguing, and given my comments in my last post, maybe it is because things are becoming too simple, the reason why classes are not challenging. Where is the 19th Century discussion of cataloging as a science?

Staincliffe, Paul (2004) Has cataloguing become too simple? : why it matters for cataloguers, catalogues and clients. New Zealand libraries 49(10).

Abstract

Modern catalogues have become far removed from their original ideals, and cataloguing standards have declined. Nineteenth-century arguments about whether cataloguing is an art or a science have been overtaken by concerns about a “dumbing-down” of quality to meet the perceived needs of modern library customers, and by debate about the direction of resources towards digitisation in the clamour for access. Despite rumours of the impending demise of MARC, the format remains standard and is expected to prevail into the foreseeable future. This article has been adapted from a paper delivered at the LIANZA Conference in Napier, N.Z. in September 2003.