Cataloging and expert systems: AACR2 as a knowledge base

Abstract

A project where two expert systems were built for library cataloging is described. The main task for these systems was to choose access points, identifying main and added entries. The resulting ESSCAPE systems and the increased understanding of the cataloging process and AACRS developed in the project are discussed. Some of the insights gained are presented under headings such as: Expert systems and cataloging, Cataloging as interpretation,The structure of AACRS. Some reflections on rule sets in general are also included. The general conclusion is that at present expert systems for cataloging can be used to produce correct biblfographic records, which might be useful in nontraditional environments. In normal library settings such systems would seem to be less meaningful, however. The research reported here was funded by grants from the Swedish Delegation for Scientific and Technical Information. The ESSCAPE project was also presented at the 51st IFLA Council and General Conference, Chicago, August 18-24, 1985.

Consequences of Applying Cataloguing Codes for Author Entries to the Spanish National Library Online Catalogs

“…provide few access points. This result contrasts with the huge amounts of text that cataloguing rules devote to these types of contribution, as in sections 21 In the sample I analyzed, some non-creative authors (except for editors-compilers and directors-coordinators) also accounted for few access points. Despite the low number of potential access points for these kinds of authorship, the types of work they are usually involved in (illustrated texts, reviews, texts accompanied by commentaries, etc.)…”

“…21,22 However, the recent appearance of online public access catalogs (OPACs) and the cataloguing of Internet sources have reoriented current research. The huge number of proposals and working documents (available on the World Wide Web) that have been generated by the revision of the AACR2 makes it difficult to summarize the current status.…”

Pebbles for the Mosaic of Cataloging Expertise: What Do Problems in Expert Systems for Cataloging Reveal about Cataloging Expertise?

“…Hjerppe and Olander (1989), Ercegovac (1990), Jeng (1991a), and Weiss (1994) all commented on problems with inconsistent, contradictory, insu{Ii-cient, and redundant informaiion contained in the rules. Fidel and Crandall (1988) examined AACR2 {iom a generalized database approach, using the entity-relationship model.…”

“…While Davies and |ames worked on their system, Hjerppe and Olander (1989) built the Expert System for Simple Choice of Access Points for Entries (ESSCAPE). Hjerype and Olander's system asked questions relevant to access points and the cataloger answered them.…”

“…easv to learn and f'ast. Davies and fames (1984) used cataloging rules and local guidelines as sources o{' expertise while Gibb and Sharif (1988) and Hjerppe and Olander (1989) used di{I'erent parts of cataloging rules and, very likely, theirown personal knowledee, althouqhihis is not mLntioned in theirieports. All commented on the weaknesses of cataloging rules and the adjustments that would be necessary to implement them in the knowledge base of an expert system.…”