Approaches To Library Filing By Computer

Abstract

"The essence of library catalogue is arrangement of entries." (a) There is no intention, in this paper, of providing anything like a new code of filing rules for use with the computer. Ted Hines and Jessica Harris have made a valiant and largely successful try at this task. It is recommended that you obtain it2 and read it thoughtfully. (b) Nor will this paper comment on the two classic American filing codes^ in such a way that the form subdivision for a subject-heading on this paper would read "Commentaries," but rather in such a way as to give it "Criticism, interpretation, etc." (c) Nor (as a final disclaimer) is this paper thematically concerned with the hope for code revision though these pages come closer to such a treatment than to (a) or (b). Instead, there will be an attempt (d) to present some of the intellectual or bibliographical problems involved in the notions of sorting and filing, and then (e) an outline of some of the tools and techniques which can be brought to bear upon their resolution. Together, these ideas should (f) make possible a rational basis for the evaluation of filing- code -revision suggestions.