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Education Libraries Volume 29, No.2 Winter 2006  4 

 
 
In this Information Age, the main issue is not so much the existence of information itself as much as the 
access and evaluation of information.  
 
Academic librarians can play a significant role in both tasks. This issue focuses on an aspect of the 
latter’s  issue: cataloging practice, particularly training in this aspect of information science. On the other 
hand, in order to understand how to access resources physically requires some intellectual 
comprehension, which is also a prevue for academic librarians. 
 
Interestingly, cataloging and classification underwent a low-profile era a few years ago. The thinking of 
the day proposed that federated cataloging and outsourcing would suffice for describing information 
resources. A few libraries pursued cataloging of digital resources such as websites, but until some kind of 
technical process could insure permanent link to those resources, most librarians were reluctant to 
dedicate the time to such apparent ephemeral activities. Furthermore, library/information schools felt less 
compelled to require their students to study this aspect of librarianship 
 
However, it has become apparent, as documented by Daniel Fuller, many librarians are doing original 
cataloging. Moreover, those same librarians often feel unprepared to do such detailed professional tasks. 
The obvious implication is that academic preparation is still necessary. 
 
Jacqueline Snider focuses on in-service cataloging training. Increasingly, digitally-enhanced staff 
development strategies are used. However, content is not enough; the environmental factors such as 
incentives and support need to be integrated. Snider looks at content, instructional design, and 
environmental considerations.  
 
Of course, many other issues of cataloging need to be addressed: database development, metatagging, 
information surrogates, to name a few. FRBR is an international initiative to look at relationships among 
manifestations and derivatives of information. Visual cataloging has become another arena for capturing 
information. The field is ever broadening. Technical services has never been so glitzy or important. 
 
Nevertheless, other topics of concern still impact academic librarians. The next theme issues for 
Education Libraries is diversity/outreach (March 15 deadline). Plan ahead.