Next Generation OPACs: A Cataloging Viewpoint

Since around 2005 several striking attempts have been made to rethink the design of library catalogs in production systems; the North Carolina State University’s (NCSU) Endeca catalog being a notable example. These developments are taking place just as the continued relevance of traditional cataloging is being questioned. This article examines the relationship of these new designs to evolving cataloging practice and the changing discovery environment.