Seymour Lubetzky

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.

Author Biography

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

DOROTHY MCGARRY is Professor Emerita, UCLA Library.