Bibliographic records for users: from disordered superabundance to cost‐effective satisfaction

Abstract

At present bibliographic records are being produced for many of the same books by publishers, commercial companies and libraries, in spite of the cost of producing them, and their inadequacy for subject access. Analysis of needs of different categories of users suggests that if adequate records can be produced at the first (publisher) stage, they can be used all through. There are several ways of achieving decent subject access without too much extra expense, e.g. by putting the effort saved by reducing bibliographic description into subject access; by instituting an all‐through system and so avoiding duplication; by providing keyword access to titles and contents pages; and by developing a profitable market for subject access to books. To achieve an all‐through system, a basic file of adequate records from publishers and a commercial subject file would be needed, as well as a National Bibliographic Agency to oversee the system.