Factoring the Librarian back into cataloguing the Web

Bruce Mcleod, Spirit Consulting, Canberra ACT
brucemc@spirit.net.au

Keywords

Librarian,portal,catalogue

Abstract

This paper examines the involvement (or lack) of professionals trained in cataloguing in providing navigation systems to access the Web. A number of differences exist between conventional cataloguing systems and internet cataloguing systems. Because of these differences it has taken time for both spheres to adjust to each other. Yet such an adjustment is inevitable and the creation of Internet catalogues that are controlled by professional cataloguers has begun.

The paper will range from an examination of what factors have led 'Nerds' to dominate the area of cataloguing the Internet to examples of tools and maintenance methods in which Internet catalogues can be set up to take advantage of contemporary cataloguing skills.