Seymour Lubetzky: Writings on the Classical Art of Cataloging

(Hardback)

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Seymour Lubetzky was one of the most significant influences in the field of cataloguing. Born in 1898, Lubetzky devoted a century's worth of time to writing and teaching. He developed a rationalized approach to catalogue code design, one that is even more relevant today as current cataloguing principles are revisited and revised for a digital environment. Containing nearly all of his works, this volume spans Lubetzky's 60 years of writing. The 25 selections are presented in their original form and in chronological order so that the development of Lubetzky's thought can be followed from his first writings on cataloguing problems in the late thirties and early forties to writings in the following decades that consolidate and reiterate his philosophical and methodological stances. Each of his works is preceded by an introduction from the editors to establish its context and highlight its main points. The volume begins with a comprehensive introduction by the editors describing the major events and turning points in Lubetzky's career, and concludes with a complete bibliographic listing of Lubetzky's writings. The work should be useful to anyone involved in cataloguing, and provides the theoretical frameworks and guidelines to organize material in print and digital form.

Reviews

A wonderful addition for cataloging professionals, students, and faculty of library and information science, and librarians.-Library Journal
Elaine Svenonius and Dorothy McGarry deserve our thanks and praise for the work they have done in assembling this indispensable volume.-Cataloging and Classification Quarterly
I think this is a milestone publication, a refreshing read for all involved with teaching, learning and practising cataloguing, and an encouragement to those concerned with thinking honestly about the principles as well as the nitty gritty of access provision for information in the electronic age.-Australian Library Journal
This book is living proof that theory needs to form the strong skeleton of practice, because any practice that is not grounded in theory is destined to fall short of its function. Highly recommended.-Technicalities
This volume is of major importance for much more than its historical value....There is not time-warp here: The skill and clarity of Lubetzky's views, his expression of them and his emphasis on objectives and principles, make his writings a useful model in any current re-thinking of access provision by author and title.-Australian Library Journal
"A wonderful addition for cataloging professionals, students, and faculty of library and information science, and librarians."-Library Journal
"Elaine Svenonius and Dorothy McGarry deserve our thanks and praise for the work they have done in assembling this indispensable volume."-Cataloging and Classification Quarterly
"I think this is a milestone publication, a refreshing read for all involved with teaching, learning and practising cataloguing, and an encouragement to those concerned with thinking honestly about the principles as well as the nitty gritty of access provision for information in the electronic age."-Australian Library Journal
"This book is living proof that theory needs to form the strong skeleton of practice, because any practice that is not grounded in theory is destined to fall short of its function. Highly recommended."-Technicalities
"This volume is of major importance for much more than its historical value....There is not time-warp here: The skill and clarity of Lubetzky's views, his expression of them and his emphasis on objectives and principles, make his writings a useful model in any current re-thinking of access provision by author and title."-Australian Library Journal

Author Bio

ELAINE SVENONIUS is Professor Emerita, School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). DOROTHY MCGARRY is Professor Emerita, UCLA Library.