Cataloging and Classification Education in Egypt: Stressing the Fundamentals While Moving Toward Automated Applications

This paper concentrates on the current state of cataloging and classification education in Egypt. The authors highlight the changes which have occurred in the past five years and also envision expected changes for the near future. All courses related inclusively to cataloging(both descriptive and subject) and classification of library materials have been examined. Research design includes analyzing curricula, distributing a written questionnaire, and interviewing library and information science faculty from different departments throughout the country. The paper reveals a number of findings that are of particular relevance to current and near-future cataloging and classification education in Egypt. Among these findings are the increasing focus on machine-readable cataloging, cooperation in cataloging, improving the practical part of cataloging and classification education, the need for continuing education of instructors, and continuing development of cataloging courses.