Latest Entry Cataloging Locally and Nationwide

Abstract

Northwestern University Library began experimenting with a return to the use of latest entry cataloging for selected title changes in spring 1985. An informal user survey conducted in 1989 suggests that patrons may be helped by latest entry records in finding needed information, but may be hindered by the separate records required by successive entry. While the Library of Congress Rule Interpretations and the recent AACRZ rule changes lean more toward earliest entry, 52% of the sixty-four ARL libraries responding to a 1990 survey indicated that they too were using latest entry cataloging in circumstances ranging from limited use in retrospective conversion to extensive use in current cataloging. Until there is more sophisticated manipulation of the MARC record for indexes and displays, the authors believe latest entry cataloging can help patrons and staff.