Comments on: A “Next generation” library catalog – Introduction and assumptions (Part #2 of 5) http://litablog.org/2006/07/a-next-generation-library-catalog-introduction-and-assumptions-part-2-of-5/ Library and Information Technology Association Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:19:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jennifer Bowen http://litablog.org/2006/07/a-next-generation-library-catalog-introduction-and-assumptions-part-2-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-18017 Jennifer Bowen Mon, 24 Jul 2006 18:24:16 +0000 http://litablog.org/2006/07/07/a-next-generation-library-catalog-introduction-and-assumptions-part-2-of-5/#comment-18017 One of the difficulties in talking about a "next generation catalog" is to find the right words to describe it. As you say, "catalog" is not the right model if we think in terms of a catalog either as an inventory list, or as a monolithic "thing" that becomes a destination in itself for resource discovery. We've realized this at the University of Rochester after naming our project "XC: the eXtensible Catalog". What we're finding now is that we'd rather that people focus on the "extensible" part, and not the word "catalog" since it does seem to convey images of a "thing" that can take the place of an OPAC. Rather, it may be better to envision it, and next generation catalogs in general, more like sets of tools or services that can be used in an open environment. One of the difficulties in talking about a “next generation catalog” is to find the right words to describe it. As you say, “catalog” is not the right model if we think in terms of a catalog either as an inventory list, or as a monolithic “thing” that becomes a destination in itself for resource discovery. We’ve realized this at the University of Rochester after naming our project “XC: the eXtensible Catalog”. What we’re finding now is that we’d rather that people focus on the “extensible” part, and not the word “catalog” since it does seem to convey images of a “thing” that can take the place of an OPAC. Rather, it may be better to envision it, and next generation catalogs in general, more like sets of tools or services that can be used in an open environment.

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