A 3-Layered Conceptual Model for Descriptive Cataloging

Abstract

In the area of descriptive cataloging an object (a bibliographic item) has been grasped traditionally from two aspects, one physical, the other intellectual. Though this framework for grasping an object is useful within a certain scope, it cannot cope effectively with new problems which have arisen in the area. Therefore an alternative framework is required at present. A 3-layered model as such a framework is proposed in this paper.
First a 2-layered model is constructed as an attempt. Each layer of the model corresponds to each aspect of the traditional framework. One layer is termed “book” and the other is “work”.
Secondly some issues which have been discussed in the area are reviewed critically in terms of the above 2-layered model, and then the problems contained in the model are extracted.
Thirdly a 3-layered model is introduced in place of the 2-layered model for the purpose of giving a solution to the problems. This model consists of “medium”, “text” and “work”. “Text”, which means a string of words and other symbols, was first proposed by P. Wilson. And finally an attempt to cope with the problems concerning microform reproductions and computer files is made by using the 3-layered model.