Abstract

This paper is the result of a request from Library of Congress leadership to assess pre-coordinated versus post-coordinated subject cataloging. It argues that the disadvantages of pre-coordinated subject strings are perennial and continue to hinder progress, while the advantages of post-coordinated subject cataloging have expanded, resulting in new opportunities to serve the needs of catalogers and end users alike. The consequences of retaining pre-coordinated headings will have long-term impacts that heavily out-weigh the short-term challenges of transitioning to new cataloging practices. By implementing post-coordinated, faceted vocabularies, the Library of Congress will be investing in the future of libraries.

摘要

本文是应美国国会图书馆领导层要求评估预协调与后协调主题编目的要求的结果。它认为，预协调主题字符串的缺点是长期存在的，并继续阻碍进步，而后协调主题编目的优势已经扩大，从而为满足编目员和最终用户的需求带来了新的机会。保留预先协调的标题的后果将产生长期影响，其影响远远超过过渡到新编目实践的短期挑战。通过实施后协调、多面词汇，美国国会图书馆将投资于图书馆的未来。