Transformation of the Cataloging Profession Over the Past Thirty Years, 1976 to 2006

by Allen, Thea S

This paper looks at the field of cataloging within the library science profession. The changes of the cataloging profession are considerable and related to the increasing importance of the Internet and the decreasing reliance on the traditional card catalog. The majority of current professional catalogers’ duties and responsibilities rely on or are associated with computers and the Internet. This study is to determine more specifically how the cataloging profession has evolved in the past thirty years.

Job advertisements for entry-level professional cataloging positions will be evaluated from the past thirty years of American Libraries and College and Research Libraries News issues. The skills, experience, and familiarity of certain knowledge that are listed, will be documented and recorded from the evaluation of the job advertisements